The Hornets link to the D-League and San Antonio continue to grow stronger as Hornets GM Dell Demps has traded a 2nd round pick to the San Antonio Spurs in return for Curtis Jerrells, a former D-league point guard that played for him for three years on the Austin Toro’s.
Me? I don’t know anything about Jerrells. I can hope about him, but I hoped about Shakur, and he’s gotten only a few minutes of highly ineffectual burn in the preseason. Still, there does appear to be more promise here. From our THN Compatriot and Spurs Blog, 48 Minutes of Hell.
. . . so far this preseason, Gee can’t find the court.  Instead, his former Austin Toros teammate Curtis Jerrells is using training camp as a career stepping stone. Jerrells is one of the Spurs’ most productive players this preseason.
And last night, Jerrells sparked the Spurs to victory against the Clippers.
Jerrels entered the game with 2:34 remaining in the third. The score was 63-78, bad guys. Jerrells grabbed the reigns and led the Spurs offensively and defensively for the remainder of the contest. In 15 minutes, Jerrells had 11 points, three assists, a steal, and a variety of timely shots, whether from deep or near the hoop. And he continues to play surprisingly good on-the-ball defense. Jerrells finished the game +14.
I’m not sure what to make of Jerrells’ preseason, other than the obvious. He’s better than we expected. He played well in summer league, but not exceptionally well.  But other than DeJuan Blair and Tim Duncan, Jerrells has had the best preseason of any Spur. Curtis Jerrells, the kid from Baylor. The Austin Toros project.
19 responses to “Hornets acquire Curtis Jerrells”
From 48MoH: “Rumors suggest Curtis Jerrells already had a contract lined up with Partizan Belgrade, in the event he was cut by the Spurs. This, and the possibility that Jerrells may not have come to New Orleans via the waiver wire, may have motivated Dell Demps to move on Jerrells.”
So I guess that’s why we didn’t just wait for a possible cut.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2010/10/17/curtis-jerrells-traded-new-orleans/#more-10234#ixzz12ipkKjLf
I think I’m gonna like this one.
I like this pick-up. I don’t know if this is a move to solidify the backup PG spot, or to just give it added depth. If it’s a way to solidify it and this guy proves to me our man, then I think you might see another big move or 2 happen. Perhaps even involving Marcus Thornton.
Maybe it was for one of the Phantom conditional picks we stockpiled? one can only hope.
If Jerrells is reliable as a backup PG, I could see him and CP3 as our primary PGs, then keeping another cheap guy as the 3rd PG (Shakur, Strawberry, or Pargo) incase of injuries. This would mean Willie Green slides down as the backup SG behind Marco B. Could it be possible we look to deal Thornton (who’s been struggling and maybe doesn’t fit the defensive plan of Monty), Peja (expiring contract), and/or David West for some big peices? Even if we kept West, I think some teams would bite on a Thornton and Peja package, esp if we threw in a draft pick. It could give us another horse and some reliable depth on the bench.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=22rx3f8
Thoughts?
Interesting and not that far fetched. But I think the other teams wont get enough back. The idea of Arenas for Carter has been floating through the web for quite some time now and Bass is on the block as well, but I believe Orlando wants back more than that. Washington might be intruiged. Might help the Hornets, but probably wont happen.
Yeah I doubt it happens too but I think its safe to say that something else is up Demps sleeve. All these guards dont make sense, then add us potentially bringing back Pargo and it just gets rediculous.
Or, Demps has gone rogue, read too much out of Kahn’s (Minni GM) playbook and follows his lead by drafting and signing only guards to play really really fastball. 😉 just kidding. I also believe he has something up his sleeve. Even the Green/Smith trade is good in my eyes now, even if Green stays. Smith seems to be so much better than Brackins and Songalia. Stronger, taller and same midrange game, but better rebounder and defender.
I watched Jerrells his whole career at Baylor. The kid can score and is a great passer. Should be a good spark off the bench for NOLA
So Shakur and DJ are probably gone. I kinda liked the guys, but its a business and Dell doesnt take tag-alongs. Thats quite different from Bower. Either Shakur or DJ would have made the team with Bower, but Demps keeps on searching. My hope is that Jerrells becomes the primary back-up PG (pipe dream I know) and Green is relegated to the 3rd string SG. I also believe that Pargo will come back pretty soon.
Honestly – I doubt Shakur or Strawberry would have been in camp under Bower. It would have been someone like Earl Watson. Veteran Retread.
ou are probably right. I already forgot about Bowers tendencies, although Luther Head (who fits that bill to T and he would have be guaranteed for two years with the second year being a player option – just ridiculous)) isnt that long ago. I rather have people not make the team and keep the turnover at the end of the bench than tie the teams hands with bad contracts and players that dont fit. I like Demps approach.
I don’t want to overstate this, but Curtis Jerrells reminds me a lot of Jameer Nelson. 6-0, buff point guard, who can shoot, drive, dunk, but mostly shoot!
He seems decent on offense, but my question, as always, is can he defend and can he handle pressure?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9anGAmF9sg
L_Reazy
Finally! We need guards that can actually shoot. The fact that he’s a lefty just makes it even better (for me). He looks good on tape. I really hope he’ll be able to get our guys some good looks. Will he suit up tonight? Mbenga?
He makes ~$0.75m this year and his qualifying offer is about double that. Cheap, short term. It’s a move I can get with.
Does this pressure Marcus?
Hoopshype has him down as a team option:
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_orleans.htm
Does anyone know if this accurate? If so, does that mean the option has been picked up? Or is that pending?
We have the option to keep him or cut him and will not be penalized for cutting him salary wise. In addition, the 2nd round pick is not ours, but the Clippers and long story short, it will never get to SA or us for that matter.
The Rasual pick? I remember that one, I think. 2015 conditional on Rasual playing a ton?
Thanks alot. How do you get all this? Is there a better site than HoopsHype? Do you just dig?
Given that he’s not guaranteed, I’m all for the move. I’m so impressed with Demps.