The Hornets have shifted into evaluation mode. They aren’t completely tanking the season, but they’re top priority isn’t the won-loss column anymore either. (Hornets coach Monty) Williams sat healthy swingman Trevor Ariza on Monday night to take an extended look at Al-Farouq Aminu. Center Emeka Okafor and point guard Jarrett Jack have been shelved for the rest of the season.

Williams and General Manager Dell Demps will use the final two weeks of the regular season to determine who’s in and who’s out, who will be a part of their future and who won’t. And despite (Eric) Gordon’s limited body of work, if Demps and Williams have their way, Gordon will be in New Orleans next season and for years beyond.

The club is expected to try to sign the explosive shooting guard to a long-term contract this summer.

Now, Gordon won’t be the cornerstone of the Hornets’ rebuilding program, but he’ll be a key building block.

via Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune