Chris Paul
Hornets coach Monty Williams says that All-Star point guard Chris Paul never asked the team for a trade.
New Orleans named Williams their new head coach in early July and soon after Paul rumors begin to kick up.
“You can say it has settled down now, but it was settled before that,” Williams told Sporting News.
“For me, it was never an issue. Chris never said anything about a trade. He never asked for a trade. He wants us to be a better team, but we all want that and Dell [Demps] and I are going to do all that we can to make it a better team. We’re going to make this a better team with Chris here.”
Real GM
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Luis Amundson
Free-agent forward Louis Amundson remains on the market, but sources are reporting that may change soon.
The Hornets, Pacers and Warriors are known to have interest in Amundson and he is nearing a decision, according to a source.
There is also an unidentified fourth team in the mix.
Real GM
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Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza was sent to the New Orleans Hornets and Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers in a four-team, five-player trade Wednesday.
In the trade, the Hornets also sent James Posey to the Pacers.
The Pacers sent Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets. And the Nets sent Courtney Lee to the Rockets.
The four-team deal could fill some long-term needs for the Hornets, Pacers and Nets, as well as provide needed salary relief for the Rockets.
ESPN.com
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Chris Paul
Despite positive statements about his future in New Orleans following Monday’s meeting with the team, Chris Paul is still seeking a way out, according to a source close to the point guard.
It at first appeared as though the Hornets had completely ended the Paul saga, but Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that is not the case.
“The telltale thing is that Chris Paul won’t comment publicly other than what was released about it,” said a person familiar with Paul’s strategy.
Real GM
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Chris Paul
The Hornets have been turning away the latest series of calls from other teams on point guard Chris Paul, according to front-offices sources.
“They say they aren’t moving him,” one rival team executive said of the Hornets.
Sources with knowledge of New Orleans’ thinking said over the weekend that the Hornets’ stance is unlikely to change.
ESPN.com
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LeBron James, Chris Paul
Nobody is blaming Chris Paul for wanting out of New Orleans. The roster is a wreck, the Hornets fired a coach he liked, fired their general manager and ownership is changing hands.
And today, CP3 got an endorsement for someone that may sour some on Paul’s demands. LeBron James tweeted: “Best of luck to my brother @oneandonlycp3 . Do what’s best for You and your family.”
Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer put it rather brilliantly in just 140 characters : “These days ‘brand management’ & ‘doing what is best for your family’ apparently means turning off as many of your fans as possible. ”
HoopsWorld
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Chris Paul
According to a source with knowledge of his plan, Chris Paul has requested that the Hornets trade him to the Knicks, Magic or Lakers before the season begins.
“He wants out,” the source told Ken Berger of CBS Sports. “He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron’s model of teaming up with other great players.”
NBA sources say that members of Paul’s camp told them recently, “He’s not going to start the season in New Orleans.”
Real GM
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Luther Head
The New Orleans Hornets have reached an agreement on a two-year contract with veteran guard Luther Head.
The Hornets are not announcing the deal yet because Head still must pass his physical, but Head’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told The Associated Press on Saturday that the deal paying Head about $2.5 million over two years is done.
Inside Hoops
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Chris Paul
Hornets point guard Chris Paul revealed that he is open to a trade if the team is not committed to winning a title.
“My first choice is to be in New Orleans,” Paul said. “I just want to make sure we’re committed to winning. If we’re not committed to winning and trying to get better so we can contend with the Lakers, the Celtics, these other top teams, then I’m open to being traded.”
Reports that the other teams were calling the Hornets about Paul surfaced earlier this week.
Real GM
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Chris Paul
There are indications that the Grizzlies have joined a long line of teams trying to convince the New Orleans Hornets to part with one of their point guards: Chris Paul or Darren Collison.
One of the Grizzlies’ stated goals this offseason is to bolster the point guard position. Paul, an all-star, all-defensive team member, would easily supplant incumbent starter Mike Conley.
Collison would represent a dynamic backup at the position or someone who could push Conley for the starting job.
HoopsWorld
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