--The Hornets signed All-Star and Olympic point guard Chris Paul to a four-year extension worth $68 million. Though he passed on a longer deal and can opt out of the final year of this deal, Paul said, "I love everything about New Orleans and I don't ever want to leave."

The new deal kicks in when his original four-year contract expires after next season.

--The two young players the Hornets are counting on the most to improve their bench play next season -- F Julian Wright and C Hilton Armstrong -- are the marquee players on New Orleans' team in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's a tremendous asset not only to the Hornets' organization but also to the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana." -- Hornets owner George Shinn, on G Chris Paul.

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