Hornets Sign Jackson; Re-Sign Butler
Veteran Guard and Versatile Swingman to Bolster Hornets Bench
July 26, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY - The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets announced today that they have signed free agent guard Bobby Jackson and re-signed forward Rasual Bulter. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.
“Signing Bobby and re-signing Rasual really solidifies our bench,” said General Manager Jeff Bower. “Bobby can come in at either guard position and push the tempo while adding long range shooting and defense while Rasual’s athleticism and shooting ability allows him to play either the shooting guard or small forward position.”
Jackson will begin his 10th NBA season as a member of the Hornets. The 6-1, 185-pound guard has compiled career averages of 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 556 games while shooting .423 from the field and .364 from three-point range. Last season, he averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 71 games for Memphis.
“I’m expecting Bobby to give me that reliable veteran presence in the backcourt,” said Head Coach Byron Scott. “He’s known as one of the tougher players in the league and brings a reputation for knocking down big shots that I’m looking forward to adding to our mix.”
Jackson began his career in Denver in 1997-98 and then spent two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) in Minnesota before signing as a free agent with Sacramento prior to the 2000-01 campaign. He spent five seasons with the Kings (2000-01 through 2004-05), where he teamed with newly-acquired Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic and helped guide the Kings to the playoffs each year. Jackson averaged double figures in scoring each of his five seasons in Sacramento, including 15.2 points per game in 2001-02 when he finished second in the voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Butler averaged career highs of 8.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 79 games for the Hornets last season. The four-year veteran swingman started 19 games (averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds), including a career-high 32 point outburst in which he made seven-of-nine three-point field goals March 21 vs. the L.A. Clippers. He led the team in scoring four times and reached double figures in 29 games. Butler was originally acquired by the Hornets from Miami in a five-team, 13-player deal on August 2, 2005.
“Rasual was a big part of our turnaround last season and I think he’s barely scratched the surface of his talent ,” said Scott. “His skills really fit in well with our system and I think now he’ll have the chance to continue to develop and come into his own as a player.”
July 26, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY - The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets announced today that they have signed free agent guard Bobby Jackson and re-signed forward Rasual Bulter. Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.
“Signing Bobby and re-signing Rasual really solidifies our bench,” said General Manager Jeff Bower. “Bobby can come in at either guard position and push the tempo while adding long range shooting and defense while Rasual’s athleticism and shooting ability allows him to play either the shooting guard or small forward position.”
Jackson will begin his 10th NBA season as a member of the Hornets. The 6-1, 185-pound guard has compiled career averages of 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 556 games while shooting .423 from the field and .364 from three-point range. Last season, he averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 71 games for Memphis.
“I’m expecting Bobby to give me that reliable veteran presence in the backcourt,” said Head Coach Byron Scott. “He’s known as one of the tougher players in the league and brings a reputation for knocking down big shots that I’m looking forward to adding to our mix.”
Jackson began his career in Denver in 1997-98 and then spent two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) in Minnesota before signing as a free agent with Sacramento prior to the 2000-01 campaign. He spent five seasons with the Kings (2000-01 through 2004-05), where he teamed with newly-acquired Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic and helped guide the Kings to the playoffs each year. Jackson averaged double figures in scoring each of his five seasons in Sacramento, including 15.2 points per game in 2001-02 when he finished second in the voting for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Butler averaged career highs of 8.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 79 games for the Hornets last season. The four-year veteran swingman started 19 games (averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds), including a career-high 32 point outburst in which he made seven-of-nine three-point field goals March 21 vs. the L.A. Clippers. He led the team in scoring four times and reached double figures in 29 games. Butler was originally acquired by the Hornets from Miami in a five-team, 13-player deal on August 2, 2005.
“Rasual was a big part of our turnaround last season and I think he’s barely scratched the surface of his talent ,” said Scott. “His skills really fit in well with our system and I think now he’ll have the chance to continue to develop and come into his own as a player.”
