The Hornets have sold the equivalent of 5,000 season tickets, a modest start, and have seen a spike in tickets sales this month, which they hope will continue as the Oct. 31 season-opener against the Sacramento Kings approaches. The goal is 10,000 season tickets sold, said Kevin Terry, vice president of ticket sales.

In their last full season in New Orleans, 2004-05, the Hornets were 18-64 and 30th in the NBA in attendance. But that summer, then-president Paul Mott said the team had doubled its season-ticket sales, a positive sign after a dreary season. But the hurricane hit about five weeks before training camp.

In Oklahoma City, the team had success, tallying 30 sellouts in two seasons. But there were signs of optimism back in New Orleans, too, where the team played nine games the past two seasons, including three sellouts and generally packed and fervent crowds.

The Hornets have re-signed free agent guard Jannero Pargo to a contract, according to a report on the team's web site on Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 27-year-old Pargo averaged 9.2 points while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range in 82 games last season as the primary backup to Chris Paul.

Guard Jannero Pargo has re-signed with the New Orleans Hornets, according to his agent.

Mark Bartelstein told ESPN.com on Friday that Pargo has signed a two-year deal to return to the Hornets after averaging 9.2 points and 2.5 assists per game last season.

The deal, which includes a player option for the second season, is believed to be worth about $4 million.