The Hornets will pick up a $1.5 million contract option on Gustavo Ayon for next season.

Ayon has transitioned nicely to the NBA and has found some success during his rookie season. He's averaging 6.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in just 21 minutes.

Gustavo Ayon (personal) will return to action for the Hornets on Sunday.

The Hornets' frontcourt is a mess and there should be enough minutes for Ayon to step in and provide fantasy value, but we're more comfortable watching him for a game or two. He missed the past three games due to the birth of his child.

Gustavo Ayon will miss another game on Saturday as he attends to his wife and newborn child.

The Hornets' frontcourt is decimated right now, with Ayon and Emeka Okafor out and Chris Kaman (flu) still questionable. Jason Smith and Carl Landry will play all the minutes they can handle until some healthy bodies filter back into the rotation.

Gustavo Ayon (personal) will not play in Thursday's game against the Blazers.

Ayon's wife gave birth to their child Thursday, meaning he's a decent bet to be back with the team by Saturday. In the meantime, Jason Smith and Carl Landry will continue to start up front if Chris Kaman (flu, questionable) can't go. Emeka Okafor (knee) remains out indefinitely.

Gustavo Ayon did not travel with the Hornets on Wednesday as his wife is preparing to give birth.

Without Ayon and potentially without Chris Kaman (illness), Carl Landry and Jason Smith should be in line for extended run against the Warriors on Wednesday.

Gustavo Ayon started at center for the Hornets on Monday with Chris Kaman sidelined with an illness, and had eight points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block on 3-of-7 shooting in 28 minutes.

Things weren't looking all that great for Ayon 24 hours ago, but Kaman's illness, along with Jason Smith serving the last game of his suspension, made Ayon a decent option tonight. Smith is due back on Wednesday and two missed games should be enough for Kaman to get healthy, so look for Ayon to split minutes with them, along with Carl Landry going forward. The good news is he plays four more times this week.

Gustavo Ayon was pressed into service as a starting center vs. the Spurs on Saturday -- he was torched by DeJuan Blair, but still had eight points, 13 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.

Ayon's versatile line will please fantasy owners, but he only logged 39+ minutes because Chris Kaman was home sick with a virus. Once Kaman returns, Ayon will be left fighting for minutes with Jason Smith and Carl Landry.

Gustavo Ayon was moved to the second unit for Thursday's game against the Clippers, playing just 11 minutes with only one assist and one block to his box score.

Ayon didn't even attempt a shot, though he'll get a shot to redeem himself for at least one game after Jason Smith leveled Blake Griffin tonight. Smith will face at least a one-game suspension, but after Smith's 17-point, eight-rebound night we're all for dropping Ayon at this point.

Gustavo Ayon finished Sunday's victory with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 28 minutes.

This is basically Ayon's specialty -- understated lines that will help you (a little, at least) in most categories. The return of Jason Smith is a threat to his value, and Carl Landry may return soon, so enjoy the production while it lasts.

Gustavo Ayon tied a career-high with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 37 minutes on Thursday against the Wizards.

This is more like it. Ayon has been incredibly quiet over the past few weeks, but isn't that far removed from a stretch of low-end value. He is a unique big man that passes, steals, blocks, and he should be able to rebound like this every night, but he hasn't been able to put it all together at once. His foot might be feeling better, or Chris Kaman may be ready to chill out after auditioning for the deadline. Ayon has threats to value in Carl Landry, who is returning soon but isn't a sure bet, and Jason Smith and Emeka Okafor, whose returns are still cloudy.

Gustavo Ayon played 26 minutes on Monday, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds, four steals, and one block.

Ayon had been clinging on to late-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats prior to his foot injury, but his last 10 games have not been something to write home about. During that time he has averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 boards, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks, which is useful, but not enough to carry him during the bad times. Ayon may have value down the road, but feel free to drop him for a hot free agent.

Gustavo Ayon (foot) returned to action on Friday against the Nuggets, playing 18 minutes on his way to six points on 3-of-3 shooting, zero rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Ayon and most of the first unit were benched for their effort, but at least Ayon has an excuse with his foot. It's also possible he is hitting the proverbial rookie wall, but we're not putting a ton of stock into that. He's going to be dropped after his recent struggles, but will still be worth a look after providing late-round value in 8- and 9-cat leagues before his injury. Carl Landry's return is a concern, but he is not a look to cut into Ayon's value.

Gustavo Ayon returned to action on Friday March 9.

Gustavo Ayon (foot) is expected to return on Friday against the Nuggets.

Ayon missed his last game but had been locked into a starting role since for over a month before being forced to sit out. The rookie big man is averaging 8.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks on 54.7 percent shooting over 14 games as a starter.

X-rays on Gustavo Ayon's sore left foot came back negative.

Ayon was forced to sit out Wednesday's loss to the Kings. "We certainly didn't want to push it with the way he plays," coach Monty Williams said. "If we treat it the right way and give him some time, he'll bounce back quickly." Consider Ayon questionable for Friday's game at Denver.

Gustavo Ayon (foot) will miss Wednesday's matchup against the Kings.

No word yet on how long he might be out, but Ayon had already cooled off somewhat before getting hurt, averaging 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks in three games so far in March. No official starter has been announced yet, but Solomon Jones, Al-Farouq Aminu and Lance Thomas should see increased run in his absence.

Gustavo Ayon scored 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 34 minutes on Monday against the Blazers.

The Hornets looked awful here tonight, as they do most nights, but Ayon has quietly provided ninth round value in 8- and 9-cat leagues over the past two weeks. He probably deserved a blurb after Saturday's 10-point, six-rebound, four-assist line that included a steal and two blocks, too, since owners confidence had been waning prior to that game. He has averaged 9.1 points, 5.6 boards, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks over his last seven games, and there's room for improvement on the swats.

Gustavo Ayon scored 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with one rebound and two steals in 25 minutes on Friday against the Mavs.

With news that Jason Smith (concussion) could miss the rest of the year and Emeka Okafor (knee) is not close to a return, Ayon should be owned in all 12-team, 8/9 cat formats regardless of this result. He went head up with Dirk Nowitzki tonight and helped him to a 7-of-19 shooting night, and while the results haven't always been pretty for Ayon the reviews have always been good.

Gustavo Ayon started again but had just five points and four rebounds in Tuesday's loss.

He also had two steals and three blocks, but Emeka Okafor, Jason Smith and Carl Landry were all out again with injuries. Things will eventually get crowded up front in New Orleans, but Ayon should have another solid game on Wednesday. Make sure he continues to start after that one, when Okafor is due back for the Hornets.

Gustavo Ayon had nine points, a career-high 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in Wednesday's win.

This was just his third game with double-digit rebounds, but they've all come in his last five games. Ayon was a popular play this week in fantasy with three games and he paid off tonight, but the bad news is that both Emeka Okafor and Jason Smith are due back from their injuries right after the break. But after this performance, we'd recommend just hanging onto Ayon and seeing how things play out next week. It would make sense for the Hornets to continue to give Ayon run and let him develop for the future.