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Gambit > bestofneworleans.com > OCTOBER 05 > 2010
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Demps’ arrival coincides with his emergence as a hot commodity. As a front-office guy with the Spurs, he worked his way up to become coach Gregg Popovich’s right-hand man as vice president of basketball operations. Demps’ excellent film study and basketball knowledge is credited with helping build the rosters that gave the Spurs four NBA titles in eight years. Demps and the Hornets’ new coach, Monty Williams, have roots dating back to when they played together for the Spurs in the 1990s. They’ve already put that connection to good use. The day after Demps was hired, he joined Williams and Hornets president Hugh Weber to talk to Paul about staying in New Orleans. Both sides came away praising the other, and a potentially volatile situation was diffused. The youngest coach in the league (Williams is 38) and a GM on his first day on the job were able to convince their superstar point guard that their uncertain future was cause for excitement, not concern. Suddenly, the Hornets were a new team. OK, not a completely new team in terms of personnel — Demps and Williams eventually would move half their roster and replace 24 of 28 basketball operations employees — but definitely a new team in terms of outlook. Demps and Williams followed the meeting with aggressive and intelligent roster moves that seem to have been in short supply in recent seasons. It started with a fourteam deal that sent rookie sensation Darren Collison and James Posey (and his bloated $7 million contract) to the Indiana Pacers and brought in Trevor Ariza from Houston, where he had just had his best season with the Rockets. Ariza, also a standout with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2007 to 2009, gives the Hornets depth and athleticism in the frontcourt. page 25
Peja Stojakevic has become a pricey veteran reserve, with a $14 million contract.
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