The Hornets had planned to announce the signing of Darrell Armstrong as their backup point guard on Monday. But when contract complications forced the team to postpone a scheduled news conference, Armstrong didn't worry.

He spent a relaxing night in New Orleans, confident that he would be joining the Hornets the next morning.

"If you know my path where I got to the NBA, it's all about being patient," said Armstrong, who went undrafted, then spent three years in developmental leagues before signing with the Orlando Magic nine seasons ago. "The contract was going to get done."

It did. Armstrong was introduced Tuesday in a press conference that went off without a hitch.

Hornets vice president of basketball operations and general manager Bob Bass said the team was forced to delay Monday's press conference because changes in the contract required league approval before Armstrong could be signed. The league attorney assigned to review the contract had left the office by the time the changes were finalized, said Glenn Schwartzman, Armstrong's agent.

Bass and Schwartzman both declined to discuss specific changes to the contract.

Armstrong, a nine-year veteran, signed a two-year deal.

Although they have 13 players already under contract for this season, the Magic are expected to sign at least one more, likely Donnell Harvey, a 6-8 power forward out of Florida.

Darrell Armstrong always did have a way of creating an extra spark at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Opening night with the Orlando Magic this season could reach a new excitement level when Armstrong -- one of the most popular players in franchise history -- adds to the mix, arriving now as a point guard with the New Orleans Hornets.

Maybe this is why he signed with the Hornets. You just knew he couldn't stay away very long.

The NBA released its 2003-2004 schedules Tuesday, providing the Magic with a home-heavy start, a late West Coast trip and an opening night return of Armstrong, whose departure this summer after nine seasons caused considerable debate.

"I hope the fans give him a standing ovation on opening night," said Magic Coach Doc Rivers. "I know I will. He gave everyone here a reason to believe."

Although the Magic opted not to re-sign him -- going with a younger, quicker point guard this season -- Armstrong, 35, is likely to bring the same all-out, head-first style that often left him in the laps of the front-row spectators.

Unspecified contract complications Monday prevented the Hornets from introducing free agent Darrell Armstrong as their new backup point guard.

The team had scheduled an afternoon news conference to make the announcement at New Orleans Arena, but after an hour and 15-minute delay, team spokesman Harold Kaufman said the signing would be delayed.

"There are some items that need league approval contractually, and we hope to have this matter settled quickly," said Kaufman, who did not take questions or elaborate specifically about the contract problem.

"We hope to have this matter settled quickly," he said. "They are in the final stage of negotiations, but the contract has not been signed."

After the news conference was canceled, Hornets executive vice president and general manager of basketbal operations Bob Bass was not available for comment. He was contacted at home Monday night, and declined to say whether Armstrong had passed or failed his physical examination.

The Hornets have reached an agreement with Orlando Magic free-agent point guard Darrell Armstrong on a two-year contract, a source close to the negotiations said Saturday.

Armstrong, 35, will arrive in New Orleans on Monday to take a physical examination, then be introduced by the team at an afternoon press conference, the source said.

Hornets general manager Bob Bass has not commented on free agents during the free-agency signing period, which started July 16. He declined to comment Saturday.

The Hornets hope Armstrong is the reliable veteran they sought in free agency to back up Baron Davis. The Hornets want to decrease Davis' chances of injury by giving him more time to rest.

Davis, who averaged 37.5 minutes per game last season, suffered from chronic back spasms and knee problems and missed 32 games.

Armstrong, 6 feet 1, is an aggressive defender known for his hustle. He played in all 82 games last season and averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 assists.

Armstrong wanted to re-sign with the Magic, but the team didn't offer him a contract after signing free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue.

The Orlando Magic signed second-round draft picks Keith Bogans, a 6-foot-5 guard, picked 43rd overall.

Bogans played four seasons at Kentucky, averaging 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds. He finished his career as the fourth-leading scorer in school history, trailing only Dan Issel, Kenny Walker and Jack Givens, now a Magic television analyst.

Bogans was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year last season after averaging 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

On Thursday, the Magic inked Zaza Pachulia, a 6-foot-11 center, who was drafted 42nd overall.

Maybe signing with the New Orleans Hornets will help take the sting out of Darrell Armstrong's unceremonious exit from the Orlando Magic.

Armstrong officially moved on Friday, signing a two-year contract for about $6 million with the New Orleans Hornets.

He said that he'll talk with Magic Coach Doc Rivers and others in the franchise who decided the 35-year-old point guard and fan favorite no longer fit in their plans -- but it may take some time.

"I haven't talked to Doc [Rivers] yet," Armstrong said from his cell phone. "I got to get over it. I can't be mad at him because he wanted to make a move. I want to thank them for putting up with me. I'm an emotional player.

"I just didn't like the way it was done. I went to war with Doc for four years. They had a different plan in mind. . . . It happens. I felt I should have ended my career there alongside Doc Rivers. Things happen sometime for the best.

"I'll talk to him sometime. I'm still not ready to talk to anyone [with the Magic.]"

The Orlando Magic added another piece to their front line Thursday when they signed 6-foot-11, 240-pound center Zaur "Zaza'' Pachulia.

Pachulia, 19, impressed the Magic enough during summer league that they were willing to pay $350,000 to his professional team in Turkey in order to buy out his contract. Pachulia signed a one-year deal worth $360,000 and he has an option for a second season with the Magic. He said recently that he turned down $1.5 million in Turkey in order to play for the Magic.

Orlando selected Pachulia with the 42nd pick of the NBA Draft. The Magic are expected to sign Keith Bogans, the 43rd pick of the draft, today.

Pachulia has played for Ulker of Istanbul, a top-level team in Turkey, since he was 15 years old. In 21 games last season, he averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Sidney Moncrief, the third all-time leading scorer in Milwaukee Bucks history, has been added to the already long list of candidates who will interview for the Bucks' head coaching vacancy.

Another former Bucks great, Paul Pressey, who for the past three seasons has been an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, also affirmed his interest in the job.

"I have been contacted (by the Bucks) but we haven't set a time (for an interview) yet," said Moncrief, who had been an assistant on Don Nelson's Dallas Mavericks staff for the past three seasons.

Moncrief, who earlier this week said he would not return for a fourth season in Dallas, said he was very much interested in pursuing the Bucks' head coaching job.

"I would be interested in coaching again, but it would have to be a head coaching job in the right environment," Moncrief said. "And for me, there aren't a lot of those situations around.

Knick fans won't have to wait very long to see Latrell Sprewell in a Timberwolves uniform.

Sprewell's return to Madison Square Garden will take place during the second week of October in the Knicks' first home exhibition game, which will also mark Keith Van Horn's debut with the Knicks.

The Knicks' regular-season schedule will be released within the next week. According to a source, the Knicks will open against Orlando. Jeff Van Gundy and the Rockets come to New York in early January and LeBron James makes his Garden debut in February.