The Minnesota Timberwolves website had an press release up briefly stating they had just traded PG Jason Hart to the Hornets for Devin Brown.  Hart has played in only one game for the Wolves this season, and played only 29 last year for the Nuggets and Clippers.

The two players have the same salary, so the only reason this trade makes sense is if it’s part of something else the Hornets are trying to get done – or if Jason Hart has an unguaranteed contract that can be voided, allowing the Hornets to get closer to the Luxury Tax line.  I’d probably suspect the latter.(Update: Jason Hart’s contract is non-guaranteed, allowing the Hornets to cut him and get $1 million closer to the Luxury Tax Line, leaving the Hornets 3-4 million to go – otherwise known as the salary of Hilton Armstrong.)

Devin has been playing alright, but this doesn’t upset me.  He has no business as a starting shooting guard in the league.  Of course, that leaves the Hornets with an interesting situation if it goes through.  Who does start at shooting guard?

Marcus Thornton?(please?)  Peja Stojakovic with Posey or Wright at the 3?  Collison and Paul as the starting backcourt?  *gulp* Bobby Brown?

Hat tip to Ball Don’t Lie for the news.  We’ll keep you posted on what happens next.

Update from Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s twitter account:

Kahn says Hart-Brown deal is neither snagged or dead, says more than 1 way to do it, other teams involved.

Update II: Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune

Though a report on Yahoo.com indicated the New Orleans Hornets had traded guard Devin Brown to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a source close to the Hornets said Tuesday afternoon no deal had been made or would be . . .

. . [Brown] attended the Hornets’ shoot-around Tuesday here at the Toyota Center and is expected to play against the Houston Rockets tonight.

Update III:  Jason Hart was traded to Phoenix today for an expiring player, cash, and a 2010 draft pick. The Hornets had only offered the first two, and clearly were not willing to up the ante.