Hornets Waive Shakur, Watkins

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Published: October 18, 2010

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have waived guard Mustafa Shakur and center Darryl Watkins, leaving the roster current roster at 16 players.

Shakur played in two preseason games for the Hornets, averaging 3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 13.0 minutes of play. Expected to compete for a guard spot, Shakur saw only limited time with rotational players, and was not particularly impressive. Given the recent trade for Curtis Jarrels and the recent improvement by Willie Green, it’s not surprising that Shakur won’t be around for the start of the regular season.

Watkins appeared in three preseason games for New Orleans, averaging 2.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 9.0 minutes of action. He didn’t do anything of note, and saw his chances of making the team dwindle after the acquisition of DJ Mbenga.

DJ Strawberry and Joe Alexander are now competing for the final roster spot. Alexander has shown just about nothing positive in the preseason, so there must be something that he’s doing right in practice or it doesn’t make much sense that he would still be around. As Michael said about his performance in the most recent game:

Joe Alexander must have other plans for winter because he does not look like he wants to be on an NBA roster this year. If last night did not seal his fate, then perhaps tonight did. He entered the game in the second quarter and immediately turned the ball over two times and picked up two fouls. After that brief 5-minute stint, Monty never put him back in the game.

So take this battle for the last bench seat for what it is. It’s unlikely that either player will see more than inconsequential minutes.

Updated Depth Chart

pg- Paul, Green, Jarrels

sg- Belinelli, Thornton, Strawberry

sf- Ariza, Peja, Pondexter, *Joe Alexander

pf- West, Smith, Pops, *Joe Alexander

c- Okafor, Gray, Mbenga

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