NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Hornets have picked up the option for the 2011-12 season for newly acquired guard Jerryd Bayless.
The 6-foot-3 Bayless, acquired from Portland on Saturday night in a trade that sent a future Hornets first-round draft pick to the Blazers, is in his third NBA season.
Drafted out of Arizona in the first round, 11th overall, in 2008, Bayless worked for the past two seasons with new Hornets coach Monty Williams, a former Blazers assistant.
Bayless and Willie Green are expected to help backup All-Star point guard Chris Paul.
Last season, Bayless played in 74 games, starting 11, and averaged 8.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 17.6 minutes.
