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New Orleans Pelicans: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pelicans

By Phil Watson

Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNITED STATES – FEBRUARY 01: Basketball: New Orleans Hornets Desmond Mason (34) in action, taking shot vs Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City, OK 2/1/2006 (Photo by David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X75235 TK1 R4)
UNITED STATES – FEBRUARY 01: Basketball: New Orleans Hornets Desmond Mason (34) in action, taking shot vs Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City, OK 2/1/2006 (Photo by David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X75235 TK1 R4) /

player. 69. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Milwaukee Bucks, Oct. 26, 2005.. SF. 2005-07. Desmond Mason. 23

Desmond Mason was an established NBA starter when the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets picked him up along with a 2006 first-round pick from the Milwaukee Bucks in October 2005 in exchange for Jamaal Magloire.

Mason’s game may have gotten lost by the airline initially, as he slumped badly in his first season with the Hornets and wound up losing his starting job for a bit.

He bounced back in 2006-07 with a solid season, scoring in double-figures per game and regaining his shooting touch to a great degree.

But Mason opted to return to the Bucks as a free agent in July 2007.

In two seasons with the Hornets, Mason averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 rebounds in 32.3 minutes per game, shooting .429/1-for-6/.672. He is not on any of the team’s all-time lists.

He played four years at Oklahoma State before being taken by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 17th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft.

He earned second team All-Rookie honors in 2000-01, but never advanced beyond part-time starter in Seattle.

That changed in February 2003 when he was dealt to the Bucks as part of the deal that sent future Hall of Famer Gary Payton to Milwaukee.

After returning to the Bucks in 2007, injuries to his thumb and knee slowed Mason and he was traded in August 2008 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team swap that also involved the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He signed a free agent deal with the Sacramento Kings in August 2009, but he was waived in November 2009 after appearing in just five games.

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