New Hornets' GM Dell Demps has been in frequent communication with Chris Paul as Demps pursues moves to improve the team's roster.

As of early Thursday morning, neither Paul nor his older brother and manager C.J. Paul had made any comment on their Twitter pages about the two trades completed by the Hornets on Wednesday.

"We exchanged numerous texts, and he said he wanted to be involved in the process," Demps said of Paul. "We thought that this was a good opportunity to involve him. It?s a player?s league, it?s a player?s game, why not ask the guys that are playing?  It was not running (the trade) by him, but asking questions. You can never ask too many questions."

Demps said that the decision to part with Darren Collison in order to bring back Trevor Ariza was a difficult one.

"It was tough to trade Darren, it was really hard to do that," Demps said. "It?s one of those situations where it?s a win-win for everyone. Darren?s going to get the opportunity to go play at Indiana. They called on him numerous times. From the moment I started (in the latter half of July), he?s been getting so many calls. But I think he?s in a situation where he?ll (thrive).

"Trevor Ariza is a player that we as an organization, we went to get him. He?s an exciting young player. He is what we identify as a young veteran, a young player in the league that also has a number of years in the league. We see him as an integral part of our team moving forward. ... We felt Trevor added an element to the team that was much needed at the wing position. He?s a terrific defender, he?s athletic, he can get up and down the court. He?s also a very good offensive player. He checks a lot of boxes when he plays the game of basketball."

Demps and Hornets' vice president of player personnel Gerald Madkins were scouts working under Isiah Thomas in New York when the Knicks drafted Ariza in 2004.

"We have a long history with Trevor," Madkins said. "We?re really comfortable with what he brings. The versatility that he adds to the roster almost made it a no-brainer."

With Collison gone, new assistant general manager Tim Connelly spoke about the need to add a back-up point guard to relieve pressure on Paul, who is coming off a significant knee injury.

"That?s a real priority for us," Connelly said. "I think there are some quality guys out there, someone who can come in and complement Chris and not run up his minutes, put the wear and tear on his body. That?s our guy, and we?ve got to make sure he stays healthy."

Demps also commented on his second major acquisition, Maro Belinelli, who was acquired in exchange for Julian Wright.  

"Marco is an excellent shooter who can help spread the floor and give us added depth in the backcourt," Demps said.