Melvin Ely

Ely is a good scorer in the low post and has the size necessary to give New Orleans a veteran backup up front. He will play about 10 minutes per game this season as the Hornets primary backup at center and may see some minutes at power forward as well.

The Hornets will be Ely’s fourth team in a five-year NBA career. He’s a good scorer in the low post and can play defense while giving New Orleans a veteran backup up front. Ely will be the Hornets primary backup at center and power forward, and could get 20 minutes a night. The Hornets had been relying on last year’s lottery picks, Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons, but it’s clear neither is ready for a bigger role this year.

Ely recently re-signed with the Bobcats. He is a good low-post scorer but will have to fight for quality minutes with the return of Okafor and May. Do not expect the same production that he provided last season.

Ely was effective when he received major minutes last season. He averaged 7.3 points in 20.9 minutes per game and eclipsed the double-digit mark in scoring 24 times. This year might be a step back for Ely, however, if first-round pick Sean May does anything of significance. Ely will be the primary backup for Brezec, but he could lose minutes to May backing up Okafor. Ely could be a solid free-agent pickup if a fantasy owner needs a stopgap.

A former lottery pick with a world of upside. Ely looks to have the starting center position wrapped up but will be pushed by hyped rookie Chris Kaman. Ely has the finesse of a small forward in the body of a power forward. Although center may not be his career-long NBA position, having Elton Brand in the low post will allow Ely to be the main receipient of a lot of putbacks and clearouts.