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Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets moved swiftly to sign contract extensions with two award-winning contributors to their record-setting season last season. On July 16, they finally added a new piece to the puzzle.

The Hornets signed NBA Coach of the Year Byron Scott to a three-year extension shortly after the season ended. They signed All-Star point guard Chris Paul to a four-year contract extension on the first day that players were eligible to sign new deals.

Those moves were followed in mid-July by the arrival of forward James Posey, fresh off winning his second NBA championship ring with the Celtics. He also was part of Miami's title team in 2006.

A key reserve for Boston, Posey averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds, and he was a critical part of the Celtics' vaunted defense.

Note to Hornets: Posey a pure mercenary (Yahoo! Sports)

The New Orleans Hornets should know that in James Posey they are getting a pure mercenary, totally devoid of...

Hornets sign Posey for 4 years (AP)

James Posey has won NBA championships with two teams. The New Orleans Hornets hope to be his third. Posey, a 6-foot-8 forward who last season helped the Boston Celtics win their first title since 1986, agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $25 million contract with New Orleans, agent Mark Bartelstein said.

Hornets reward Posey for title role in Boston (Yahoo! Sports)

James Posey is much more popular this summer than last. So much so the Hornets will pay him $25 million to leave Boston.

Reports: Hornets sign F Posey (PA SportsTicker)

One month after winning his second NBA championship in three years, James Posey apparently is headed to the Big Easy.

Chandler to train with Team USA (AP)

New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler has accepted an invitation to train with the U.S. national team in Las Vegas later this month, shortly before the team departs for the Olympics in China. "This will allow Tyson and the team to be better prepared in the event that he is needed," USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said Tuesday on USA Basketball's Web site.

Mayo meets expectations in debut (Yahoo! Sports)

O.J. Mayo scored 15 points in his first summer-league game for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Paul says he never considered leaving New Orleans (AP)

If Chris Paul had any regrets about last season, it was how his rising stardom made fans in New Orleans a little paranoid they might lose him to a wealthier team in a bigger city. Paul said he constantly ran into fans who were aware he had only one season left on his rookie contract and told him, "We hope you don't leave." "I truly love this city, everything about it," Paul said.

Arenas away from basketball until August (AP)

Gilbert Arenas has stayed off the basketball court since the Washington Wizards were eliminated from the NBA playoffs in early May. That's because the three-time All-Star's knee ached as he tried a hasty comeback from a second operation in November, which ended his season midway through the first-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A most unusual and irreverent NBA mock draft (SportingNews.com)

At the NBA draft, millions of dollars are involved, jobs are hanging in the balance, and the future of the league is at stake. This is business, serious business -- but that doesn't mean there can't be a mock draft with a sense of humor.

Hawks: No joshing around with our free agents (SportingNews.com)

Two of the more important free-agent situations this summer will be those of Atlanta Hawks PF Josh Smith and...

Grading the draft: Bulls among the As, Sonics fail (SportingNews.com)

Sam Smith gives his opinion on every team's draft haul.

NBA mock draft: Real drama starts at No. 3 (SportingNews.com)

Again, like in 2007, the big question going into Thursday's NBA draft is, "What is Kevin going to do?" Though...

Mock draft: Does Pat Riley have eyes for O.J. Mayo? (SportingNews.com)

That the Chicago Bulls will take Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft seems to be a foregone conclusion. Sam Smith breaks down how the rest of the first round will shake out.

Oklahoma City gets ready to rejoin major leagues (AP)

Mayor Mick Cornett was in a conference room waiting for a meeting to get started when city manager Jim Couch walked in and handed him a slip of paper with a single word on it: "Done." Cornett knew exactly what it meant. His city had just been called up to the major leagues. The journey was a long one for Cornett, who grew up in Oklahoma City asking adults if there was any chance one of the major...

Report: Paul, Hornets agree on three-year extension (PA SportsTicker)

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul agreed to a three-year contract extension Thursday, according to a report in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Paul agrees to four-year, $68 million deal (Yahoo! Sports)

Chris Paul has option to become free agent in 2012 after agreeing to four-year, $68 million deal with Hornets.

Sonics leave Seattle drenched, but in better shape (Yahoo! Sports)

Nearly everyone involved in the Sonics-Seattle case looks foolish. But the bizarre limbo dance is over and the franchise can move on.

Landing Davis no laughing matter for Clippers (Yahoo! Sports)

Mike Dunleavy's greatest trick wasn't stealing away Baron Davis. It was convincing Donald Sterling to pay him.

Baron Davis moves closer to becoming a Clipper (Yahoo! Sports)

The picture to the right has the "UC" in "UCLA" obscured, but it seemed appropriate.

Paul close to extension with Hornets (Yahoo! Sports)

The agent for Chris Paul will meet with the Hornets to finalize a contract extension for the MVP runner-up.

Team-by-team draft grades (Yahoo! Sports)

Teams receive report cards for their performance in the 2008 draft.

Portland targeting Nets' No. 10 pick (Yahoo! Sports)

Blazers talking trade with Nets in hopes of landing No. 10 pick for D.J. Augustin.

Person familiar with deal: Hornets trading pick (AP)

The Hornets have agreed to send their first-round draft pick, the 27th overall, to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for cash that could help New Orleans add a key free agent to a rising young squad. The deal awaits league approval and may not become official until Thursday's draft has begun, according to a person who works in the NBA and is familiar with the transaction.

Report: Blazers acquire Hornets' pick (PA SportsTicker)

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired the 27th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft from the New Orleans Hornets in return for cash considerations, according to an article posted Wednesday on ESPN.com.