New Orleans is looking for depth in the frontcourt.

With use of mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, the Hornets can spend up to $7.4 million on free agents.

The Hornets could sign one or two free agents using just their mid-level exception, which is expected to be set at $5.6 million.

Brandon Bass and Joe Smith are amongst the club's top targets.

Other free-agent power forwards/centers the Hornets could pursue are former Hornet Chris Andersen, Drew Gooden, Stromile Swift, Rasho Nesterovic, Mikki Moore, Antonio McDyess, David Lee and Channing Frye.

Even after drafting a pair of perimeter players, the Hornets are leaving open the possibility of re-acquiring Jannero Pargo.

Pargo is playing in Russia after he wasn't able to get a long-term deal with New Orleans last offseason.

"I still think there's mutual interest between the two parties," coach Byron Scott said Friday. "When July 1 (the beginning of the free-agency signing period) comes around, obviously we have some other needs we have to fill, as well. By no means do I think this closes the door on J.P.

"It's too early to say you close the door on a guy who helped you win 56 games a couple years ago, and the familiarity we have with him and the familiarity he has with us. Jeff is still getting calls from his agent, and they still have some dialogue, and I'm sure they'll start talking again."

Miami will trade the draft rights to Marcus Thornton to the Hornets for two future second round picks.

Thornton was the 43rd overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

While there is no truth to the possibility of Amare Stoudemire being moved to Houston in a package for Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace could be flipped to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler.

Wallace is an expiring $14 million contract that could also provide the Suns more immediate financial relief with a buyout (although he would still count as a $14 million salary for luxury tax purposes). Chandler's contract goes into the 2010-11 season at about $13 million.

If the Cavaliers weren't able to land Shaquille O'Neal, they would have shifted their focus to Tyson Chandler.

Cleveland and New Orleans had discussions, but talks died when Phoenix agreed to send O'Neal to the Eastern Conference for a package that includes Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace.

The Cavaliers aren't done dealing, according to sources. They want to re-sign Anderson Varejao and obtain an athletic wing player.

Byron Scott said General Manager Jeff Bower is exploring all options in regards to the Hornets' 21st overall pick.

The Hornets are looking to take the best available player regardless of position.

"I think if somebody comes with an unbelievable offer or tries to buy the pick from us, then obviously we have to take a look at that," Scott said.

The Hornets sold their pick in 2008 to Portland.

Hornets point guard Chris Paul was asked recently whether he felt as though he is as good as superstars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

"I think so, I think so," Paul told Dan LeBetard on 790 The Ticket. "I tell people all the time, one thing that all those guys have over me, definitely is just that dunk factor. I get in to the lane just as much as D-Wade and 'Bron and those guys but when they get in to the lane with their athleticism, a lot of the time they just take off to dunk and guys don't even challenge them at the rim. When I get in to the lane, everyone's eyes light up and they wanna come over and block the shot."

Chris Paul knows that the Hornets may undergo changes this offseason.

He also sounded like he might welcome some improvements during an interview with the Times-Picayune on Saturday.

"It's going to be interesting to see what happens. ... We obviously didn't win a championship this year, so there may be some changes made. We know we've just got to get better," Paul said.

He feels as though the team's goal is to be playing at this time next year.

"I think (there's a need to improve) just all around," Paul said. "It was such an up-and-down season for us. A lot of people would say that just our bench needs to get better. We all have to get better as a collective unit. Definitely our bench has to get stronger. Our first unit, we get down in a lot of games early, so I say it starts with me."

Hornets coach Byron Scott, who is entering the season with just one year left on his contract, has called his status "a challenge."

He signed a two-year extension last summer because he said at the time he wanted his voice and message to remain fresh with his players.

"I had the same situation two years ago, so why should I think of myself as a lame duck or any other things people say about a coach on his last year?" Scott said. "To me, it's a challenge.

"If we go back to last summer when I signed the deal, I specifically said I wanted a two-year deal just to see how this was going to play out. To make sure the players were still interested, still learning and still understanding where I'm coming from. They're not tired of me, and I'm not tired of them. So I never look at that as a lame duck. Like I said, I love the competition. This is going to be fun for me this year."

Two-time first-team All-American Tyler Hansbrough was among several players that worked out for the Hornets on Friday.

Arizona State forward Jeff Pendergraph, Notre Dame forward Luke Harangody, Utah center Luke Nevill, Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal and UCLA swingman Alfred Aboya were also present at the workout.

Scouts claim that the biggest worry with Hansbrough is his outside shot.

"I always was confident in my jump shot," said Hansbrough. "If you look at my team, there was no need for me to step out and shoot a lot. I always thought I had the ability to make jump shots. When you have Danny Green, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson and guards like that, my role is just to play down low and get rebounds and things like that. I always thought I had the ability to do that if I needed to."

New Orleans has the 21st overall pick in this month's NBA Draft.