NO deal Brown to Clips, avoid luxury tax

NEW ORLEANS The deal on Tuesday gives the Hornets a conditional 2014 second-round draft pick from the Clippers and brings the Hornets' player payroll below the $69.9 million luxury tax threshold.

The Hornets have shed millions in payroll through several trades this season, including Monday's deal that sent shooting guard Devin Brown to Chicago and earlier trades that sent former starting shooting guard Rasual Butler to the Clippers and reserve center Hilton Armstrong to Sacramento.

Hornets coach and general manager Jeff Bower says the deal helps the Hornets avoid the tax while keeping core players.