Hornets add Watkins, waive Johnson

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Hornets have signed center Darryl Watkins to a 10-day contract and waived former LSU standout Chris Johnson.

New Orleans signed Watkins on Wednesday, one day after shutting down center Chris Kaman for the final five games of the season because of his bruised left tibia.

The 6-foot-11 Watkins has not played in the NBA during the regular season since spending nine games with Sacramento during the 2007-08 campaign. The former Syracuse player has spent parts of the past few preseasons with San Antonio, Cleveland and New Orleans.

Johnson, who had missed eight games with a concussion, was waived to make room on the roster for Watkins.

Before his injury, Johnson played in seven games for New Orleans, averaging 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.5 minutes.

Updated April 18, 2012