The Rockets liked Ariza but traded for shooting guard Kevin Martin last year, causing salary cap issues.

I’m not sure if this is the type of move that is expected to show point guard Chris Paul that the Hornets are dedicated to winning.

Ariza is a fine player who will certainly help, but the team had to give up point guard Darren Collison to acquire him.

Collison had a fine rookie season and was good enough to allow Paul to get some extra rest on the bench.

Paul said he had a positive conversation about the team’s future and believes they are headed in the right direction.

He said that he has spent a lot of time with the organization and hopes to remain in New Orleans for many years to come.

That’s all great, but it’s hard to believe that everything is suddenly wonderful after that little meeting.

It’s more likely that Paul is trying to avoid being fined by the NBA for publicly demanding a trade.

Paul has told the team that he wants to be traded to the New York Knicks or Orlando Magic, among a few other teams.

He cannot opt out of his current contract for at least another two years, so this is the only way he can get out of town.

The Hornets are not expected to let this all go down, as they have made it clear they have no intentions of trading him.

Paul is upset with the team’s lack of committment to become a winner and an NBA title contender.

New head coach Monty Williams said he is excited to sit down and talk with Paul about the master plan.

Paul has watched as other teams have made big moves in free agency and his hasn’t brought in anyone.

The team was close to signing Luther Head in what would have been a very minor deal, but they pulled the offer at the last moment.

New Orleans’ GM recently resigned or was forced into resignation, and that has certainly hurt their chances on the free agent market.

Head’s agent said that the player is 100 percent healthy and they have not been given a fair explanation for the change of heart.

The Hornets claim that Head failed his physical, giving them no choice but to withdraw the offer.

His agent claims such an assertion is absurd and that they want to know the real reason for the move.

New Orleans made the deal with Jeff Brower as the GM, and he just recently stepped down from his post.

The star point guard initially said that he did not want to be traded and wanted to remains with New Orleans.

Paul still hopes something can be worked out with the Hornets, but said he simply wants to win.

He has not been pleased with the team’s money-saving measures and hasn’t been shy about making that clear to management and ownership.

Paul’s name is suddenly emerging as a popular trade target, with some teams thinking he could help lure LeBron James to their city.

Thibodeau was one of eight coaches interviewed by the Hornets for their vacant head coaching position.

The Hornets are high on Thibodeau because he is credited with the Celtics’ excellent defensive performance in the playoffs.

Some believe Thibodeau is the main reason why Boston has been re-energized in the postseason.

New Orleans was ranked 20th last season in team defense, so there is plenty of room there to improve.

The team interviewed both Monty Williams and Lawrence Frank, and there are now seven possible candidates for the job formerly held by Byron Scott.

Frank would be a solid choice given the success he had with the New Jersey Nets when given some talent to work with.

Williams is an assistant coach with the Portland Trailblazers, who have gone from terrible to pretty good over the past few seasons.

Avery Johnson, Mark Jackson and Mike Fratello are other notable potential coaches.

Shinn is currently battling prostate cancer and decided that he would sell the the team to Chouest.

However, Shinn began to get frustrated with Chouest because they could not reach an agreement.

Shinn nearly opened up bidding on his share of the team to outsiders, but was finally able to strike a deal.

The owner wanted to make sure the team remained in New Orleans, which is part of the reason he sold to Chouest.