Hornets Trade Guard Wesley

The New Orleans Hornets, off to a 2-25 start, traded shooting guard David Wesley to the Houston Rockets for Jim Jackson and Bostjan Nachbar on Monday.

Wesley had played for the Hornets since the 1997-98 season, compiling averages of 14.7 points and 4.6 assists. He is the franchise’s career leader in games started and ranks in the top three in 12 other categories.

Wesley averaged 13.9 points and 4.2 assists in 26 games with the Hornets this season.

“Jim and Bostjan are going to fit well into our system and should be able to help us with their offensive skills,” Hornet General Manager Allan Bristow said.

Jackson, a 13-year veteran who plays shooting guard and small forward, holds career averages of 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Nachbar was selected by the Rockets with the 15th overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. The forward averaged 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in his first two seasons with Houston and averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 16 games with the Rockets this season.

To make room for Jackson and Nachbar, the Hornets waived injured guard Alex Garcia and forward Lonny Baxter.

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The Toronto Raptors put center Alonzo Mourning on the injured list, making room for center Rafael Araujo.

Mourning was acquired this month from New Jersey in a trade involving Vince Carter. But Mourning has not reported to Toronto and might never play for the Raptors.

The NBA veteran wants to join a contender, and he is in Florida recovering from various injuries. The Raptors probably will buy out his contract.

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The Utah Jazz put guard Howard Eisley on the injured list because of left Achilles’ tendinitis and activated guard Keith McLeod.