HoopsHype.com Rumors

Going into today’s deadline, the Hornets have been trying to trade center Emeka Okafor, and they have listened to offers for starting small forward Trevor Ariza as well as exploring offers for Kaman, according to sources. But Ariza’s agent, David Lee, said by telephone Wednesday that he hasn’t heard of any trade scenarios involving his client. He said anything can happen between now and the trade deadline. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Chris Kaman 

Trevor Ariza could be had, as could Jarrett Jack according to sources, but the price tag on almost everything in a Hornets jersey is an unprotected first round pick in the top 20 and no long term money coming back in a deal. HoopsWorld

New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Jarrett Jack, Trevor Ariza 

Pete Pranica: Word is that neither Eric Gordon nor Trevor Ariza will play tomorrow against @memgrizz. Of course, Hornets bench played well last time. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza, Injuries, Eric Gordon 

Sources said one of the wrinkles added to the deal in Tuesday's talks involved the inclusion of Clippers point guard Mo Williams going to the league-owned Hornets in a swap for swingman Trevor Ariza, an L.A. native. But the Clippers, feeling even stronger about their position after acquiring Chauncey Billups on Monday on a waiver claim, are insisting that the league has to scale back its demands if it wants a trade, believing that they're the only reasonable trade suitor in circulation for Paul. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Maurice Williams, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza 

David Brickley: I'm hearing reports that Lakers may get Okafor or Ariza. More info will come out def. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza 

Ariza, who lives in Los Angeles, said he did not try to entice any free agents to consider New Orleans. However, Jack said he told some free agents about the benefits of playing in New Orleans. “I live in Atlanta, so there are various guys that come in and out of the gym, and I’m always throwing New Orleans out there as a nice landing pad. But I’m confident our front office will be able to handle that and are up to the task to do that and get ready for the season.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Jarrett Jack, Trevor Ariza 

John Reid: Chris Paul, Quincy Pondexter and Trevor Ariza are working out at Alario Center for the first time since April. Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, Quincy Pondexter 

And the charity games keep on rolling in as we wait for lockout negotiations to start up again. Baron Davis and Tina Thompson will be hosting one in Los Angeles this Sunday at Southwest College benefitting the Kids in LA Sports Foundation. On the list to play are some guys with Los Angeles ties — Paul Pierce, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, DeMar DeRozan, Nick Young, Darren Collison, Arron Afflalo and the Collins brothers Jarron and Jason. NBCSports.com

Boston Celtics, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul Pierce, Darren Collison, DeMar DeRozan, Trevor Ariza, James Harden, Nick Young, Lockout, Russell Westbrook, Baron Davis, Arron Afflalo 

Samples said the D12 Foundation also has received commitments from Gilbert Arenas, Trevor Ariza, Carlos Arroyo, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Earl Clark, Drew Gooden, Rashard Lewis, Mike Miller, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and DeShawn Stevenson. Those commitments are in addition to Ryan Anderson, Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson and Daniel Orton, who have told the Orlando Sentinel directly or through their agents that they expect to play. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Daniel Orton, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson, Chris Duhon, Mike Miller, Dwight Howard, Matt Barnes, Carlos Arroyo, Drew Gooden, Brandon Bass, Trevor Ariza, Rashard Lewis, Quentin Richardson, Lockout, Ryan Anderson, Earl Clark, DeShawn Stevenson 

The yet-to-be-sold, league-owned Hornets have a mere five players under contract. They thus have, by all accounts, zero appetite to exercise amnesty for anyone. That includes Trevor Ariza, who's still highly regarded within the organization despite a subpar season in 2010-11 and a contract with almost $22 million remaining over the next three seasons. ESPN.com

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza 

"The Big Assist" was a one-day food giveaway, hosted by New Orleans' Trevor Ariza and Milwaukee's Keyon Dooling and his Gametyme Foundation. Approximately 265 underprivileged families received care packages that included food, hygiene products, school supplies, canned food and other essential products. The idea for the giveaway was Dooling's, who has done four such stops over the past week. "Our county has hit a rough spell and there's love that needs to be given out," said Dooling, vice president of the NBA players union. "...I'm an American and I'm very sensitive to the issues that are plaguing our country. I'm very aware of the unions across the country—the teachers or police – and our fight is no different than theirs. "Although it (NBA lockout) in the public eye, it's just as significant as everyone's own individual struggle and we're all apart of the same struggle as Americans." Dooling first contacted several sponsors, who donated food items such as oatmeal, jelly, canned pasta, soup and vegetables, while other companies donated toothpaste, tissue and laundry soap. Orange County Register

Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Hornets, Keyon Dooling, Trevor Ariza 

Chris Palmer: Trevor Ariza and Dorell Wright are the first players to arrive. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Hornets, CBA, Dorell Wright, Trevor Ariza, Lockout, NBPA 

Do you think Chris Paul is going to stay in New Orleans after this season? Trevor Ariza: That’s not something I can even comment on because he’s his own individual. He’s been in New Orleans his whole career, but that’s a decision that’s up to him and his family and what he feels is best for him. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza 

Have you given consideration to the possibility of playing overseas? Trevor Ariza: You always have to keep your options open. When you do that, you can do what is best for you and your family. That’s what I’m doing. I would never say no to any opportunity. I’d weigh my options and do what is best for myself and my family. Any preference? China? Europe? Trevor Ariza: To be honest with you, I would like to play in a big European city. I would like to see what that experience is like. But like I said, I keep my opportunities open. I would listen to any team and what they have to say. Right now, I’m just working out, staying in shape and spending a lot of time with my family. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza, Lockout 

You have been traded several times during your career. Which of those trades disappointed you the most? Trevor Ariza: The most disappointing trade that I had is when I got traded from Houston to New Orleans. But as far as throughout my whole career, when the Lakers did not re-sign me that was kind of disappointing as well. Why? Trevor Ariza: I was disappointed because I felt like… This is my hometown, Los Angeles, we had just won a championship. Me helping win that championship… They overlooked that. I didn’t hang my head or cry about it. I just went to the gym and try to do the best for the team that I would play for the following season. HoopsHype

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Trade, Trevor Ariza 

You talked about becoming an All-Star when you got traded to New Orleans. Is that still a goal of yours? Trevor Ariza: Of course, that’s always been a goal of mine – to be the best player that I can be. Everything that my team has ever asked me to do, I tried my best to do. Maybe I fall short on my personal goals, but I’ve always been a player who tried to do what’s best for the team instead of what’s better for myself. And that’s what helps a lot of teams win, when you have a player that’s not selfish and doesn’t care about his own personal stats as much instead of what is happening with the team. You don’t think that might hurt you in terms of getting All-Star consideration? Trevor Ariza: Of course, that definitely hurts you. Stats is what makes All-Star players. But if I never reach that goal, I’m fine with that as long as our team always does well and always wins and always gets to the playoffs. I’m perfectly fine with that. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza 

I don’t know if you saw this list they are making at ESPN.com… They are ranking all NBA players. You are at No. 113. What do you have to say about that? Trevor Ariza: That’s just some person’s opinion. I know what I do. I know every team I’ve played on has gotten better. My whole life, nothing has ever been given to me. That’s another reason to go out and work even harder. It’s cool or whatever to be ranked, but I don’t look too deeply into that kind of stuff. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza 

The Dominican Republic is going to play at the Olympic qualifying tournament next year. There are several NBA players on that team and you have Dominican roots. Is there any chance that you could join the team? Trevor Ariza: If they would want me to play, I’d definitely listen and I would definitely be open to play. They have not approached you about this so far? Trevor Ariza: A little bit, nothing too serious. But since it’s pretty close and they will try to qualify, I believe they will be more serious now. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza, Dominican Republic 

Paul Pierce, Kevin Love and Jason Kidd headline a group of NBA players who have committed to play two exhibition games in Mexico next month. The games will be hosted by Mexico native and Charlotte Bobcats forward Eduardo Najera. Organizers of the event said Tyson Chandler, Trevor Ariza, Marcus Camby, DeAndre Jordan, Corey Maggette, Jerryd Bayless and Ryan Hollins are among the other players who will participate in the games. Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash has also been invited to play. Yahoo! Sports

Paul Pierce, Corey Maggette, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Jerryd Bayless, Trevor Ariza, Kevin Love, Ryan Hollins, Marcus Camby, Mexico, Eduardo Najera, DeAndre Jordan 

K Bros: What is "the L.A. in your game," the part of your game that most reflects having learned the game here? Jordan Hamilton: I think the scoring. L.A. is known for shooters. So shooting the ball really well. Just being an all around player as well at my size. Being 6'8", I can do lot of different things. Not only just score the basketball, but push it in transition. I can rebound really well for my size. I post up smaller defenders. I can take bigger guys out on the wing, pull up jumpers on them. Just different things like that. I see Trevor Ariza being that type of wing. Dorell Wright. All those type of guys. I think we all have a similar game. ESPN.com

Dorell Wright, Trevor Ariza, Jordan Hamilton