James Posey, the free agent the Hornets coveted the most, agreed on Wednesday to a four-year, $25 million contract with the Bees.

Posey, a 6-foot-8 forward, has won NBA championships with Miami and Boston.  His background of playing a prominent backup role on title-winning teams made him a top free agent target for the Hornets, who are looking to contend for a title of their own.

The Celtics wanted to keep Posey, a 31-year-old veteran, a strong defender and who periodically guarded Kobe Bryant and LeBron James during the postseason.

Posey's agent, Mike Bartelstein, had been seeking a four-year deal with the likes of Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, Toronto and the Lakers. The Hornets decided to take the take the leap of faith by agreeing to the needed contract. The Celtics were willing to give Posey the full mid-level exemption over three years which would have started at $5.5 million next season, but were uncomfortable with adding a fourth season.

"James was great for us, and that helped him get this offer," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told the Boston media. "I just think both sides had to do what was in their best interest, and this is the way it worked out. We wish James well."

Posey struggled with the decision, knowing joining that joining All-Stars Chris Paul and David West with the Hornets would mean leaving behind Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston where as recently as Tuesday he was signing copies of the Celtics' championship DVD for fans. He watched the Espy Awards with Garnet on Wednesday night in Los Angeles where the Celtics won their first Espy in the Best Team category.

"You've got to look at both sides," said Posey, who was sporting a black Red Sox cap. "Both sides do what's best for themselves. It's like college recruiting again."

"It was really a tough decision for him," said Bartelstein. "Boston was an incredible experience for him every way you look at it. If he left Boston, he wanted to make sure it was for a team that would compete for a championship immediately and the Hornets certainly are in that world."

The Hornets' weakness last season was an inconsistent bench. Posey, meanwhile, averaged 22 minutes of playing time during the Celtics' playoff run, scoring 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds during the regular season, his 10th in the NBA.

Just before the draft, the Hornets traded away their only selection, the 27th over-all selection, to Portland in exchange for $3 million in cash with the purpose of using that money toward a proven player in free agency who could help them win right away. They have that player in Posey.

With the money they received from Portland,combined with the savings that came from not having to dish out guaranteed money for a first-round draft pick, the Hornets were able to offer a generous enough deal to bring Posey to New Orleans.

Posey could compete for a starting job with  the Hornets and coach Byron Scott could move three-point shooter Peja Stojakovic from small forward to shooting guard and send Morris Peterson to the bench. However, Scott may prefer to keep Posey as a sixth man, a role sometimes a important as starting.

The Hornets will now turn their attention to signing a point guard to back up Pal, who is playing in the Olympics and will have well-traveled legs entering next season. The Hornets could also used a backup center and reserve o\power forward. Jannero Pargo opted out of the final year of his contract to test the market and get a better contract, could return.

Pargo became Paul's backup last season and shined in the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points, and scoring 30 points in a playoff game against Dallas. It isn't likely the Hornets will bring back Bonzi Wells, who became a free agent this summer, because they have Posey.

Sound bites:

Archie Manning, on Peyton's recent bursa sac surgery: "He's at home and doing fine. He'll rehab and go at it 100 per cent. Ninety-nine percent of the players deal with injuries. But Peyton's been fortunate through the years. He's been lucky as far as injuries." (Archie was in Indianapolis for a speaking engagement for a company with which he is associated and visited his son on Wednesday).