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The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have re-signed center-forward Jason Smith. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. “We are excited to have Jason back on our team this season,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “He provided us with solid play last season both off the bench and when he was called upon to start. He gives us depth in the frontcourt with his ability to play the center and power forward positions.” NBA.com

New Orleans Hornets, Dell Demps, Jason Smith 

How do you secure not becoming the team that loses a superstar and doesn’t get equal value? Dell Demps: “Well it was tough because in free agency players are allowed to pick and choose the teams they want to go. I think we were lucky in the situation that Chris informed us that he wasn’t going to extend with us and gave us an opportunity to get value for him. There’s instances where the team lost their superstar and didn’t get anything and sometime that really cripples a franchise. We thanked Chris because he gave us the opportunity and worked with us. He gave us the opportunity to get some good players back and gave us a foundation to move forward.” Sports Radio Interviews

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

John Reid: Hornets GM Dell Demps on Eric Gordon: ``To say he’s the face of the franchise that’s kind of hard. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Dell Demps, Eric Gordon 

J. Michael Falgoust: Dell Demps says #Hornets have yet to speak with Eric Gordon #nba #clippers Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Dell Demps, Eric Gordon 

Kyle Draper: Hornets GM Dell Demps says today is bittersweet. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

A. Sherrod Blakely: "We wish Chris the best. He will be missed."- #Hornets GM Dell Demps. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Unreal. The NBA is making Dell Demps talk on a conference call with David Stern tonight. Just unreal. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, David Stern, Dell Demps 

Demps couldn’t be reached for comment Monday, and the league issued no statements regarding the failed trade. “I don’t think everybody is looking over their shoulder trying to figure out what’s happening,’’ New Orleans point guard Jarrett Jack said. “If we get word stuff is going down, we’ll all act accordingly.” New Orleans Times-Picayune

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

While there’s been no official transition of power, general manager Dell Demps has been completely pushed to the side in deal-making decisions for the Hornets, multiple league sources told Y! Sports. “He’s basically a spectator now,” one official said. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Two sources told SI.com early Sunday that the Clippers and Hornets had re-engaged in discussions, and a source close to Clippers second-year guard Eric Bledsoe said late Sunday night that he was under the impression a deal had been agreed upon and that he would likely be traded to the Hornets. When reached by phone late Sunday night and asked if an agreement in principle had been reached, Clippers team president Andy Roeser declined comment to SI.com. According to the L.A. Times , the Hornets would receive Bledsoe, center Chris Kaman, second-year forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Clippers' unprotected, 2012 first-round draft pick that New Orleans general manager Dell Demps has coveted all along. The deal must still be approved by Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and the NBA, which owns the Hornets. The L.A Times claims the league will likely review the deal on Monday. SI.com

Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Trade, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu, Dell Demps, Chris Kaman, Donald Sterling 

Sources confirmed that Hornets General Manager Dell Demps is back negotiating with the Lakers and Houston Rockets to get a deal done involving Paul after the NBA Commissioner David Stern nixed the trade Thursday night that had Paul going to the Lakers. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

“Yes, people are still calling, and we’re calling people,’’ Demps said Friday. “So we’re confident we can get a deal.’’ Demps, though, didn’t have a timetable on when a deal will be completed. Regardless, Demps said, it’s unrealistic to consider keeping Paul after the point guard rebuffed the team’s offer of a five-year, $100 million extension. “It would be real easy if Chris signed the extension,’’ Demps said. “But the reality of it is, Chris didn’t sign the extension. We have to do everything we can for the organization. “I wish he stayed; I’m not going to lie. But it is what is.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Adrian Wojnarowski: New Orleans GM Dell Demps is "disconsolate" over this stunning, heavy-handed move from the commissioner's office, source tells Y! Sports. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Several GM's were lauding the haul of players and the draft pick that Demps was able to get back for Chris Paul in the deal. Now what? Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Pau Gasol, Dell Demps 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The NBA is now pushing New Orleans GM Dell Demps to pull the plug on the trade and keep Chris Paul, league sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps, Adrian Wojnarowski 

The Chris Paul era in New Orleans could be ending as early as this weekend if Hornets General Manager Dell Demps can find adequate value in trading the four-time All-Star point guard. Sources said the Hornets have had preliminary trade discussions with the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Mavericks, Celtics, Knicks and Magic. And even more teams could enter the Paul Sweepstakes before it’s all over. The Hornets had been listening to offers since last week, but they are proceeding more intensely after Paul indicated in Monday’s meeting with Demps he is not interested in signing a long-term extension to remain in New Orleans, sources said. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Jarrod Rudolph: Sources have told me that Chris Paul and Dell Demps had a rocky conversation today. Move expected soon, very soon. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Bartelstein said Sunday that Hornets General Manager Dell Demps, who could not be reached for comment, also has inquired about two of Bartenstein’s other clients, shooting guards Shannon Brown of the Lakers and Nick Young of the Wizards. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards, Free Agency, Shannon Brown, Nick Young, Dell Demps 

Boston could be trying to gather players to make a more attractive bid for Paul, sources said. New Orleans has shown no interest in a deal that would include Rondo and any combination of Celtics teammates. Yet, New Orleans GM Dell Demps is determined to get maximum value for Paul, if it’s clear the point guard sees his future elsewhere. Demps has no desire to simply let Paul walk away as a free agent to New York. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Dell Demps 

Dave McMenamin: NOH GM Demps to LAL GM Kupchak pregame: "I don't know if we can play any better than we did Sunday ... That was our best game of the year" Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Dell Demps