Hornets general manager Dell Demps and coach Montie Williams remained firmly committed to making Chris Paul the centerpiece of the franchise.

“He’s made some comments to us that he’s happy and he likes the direction that we’re going,” Demps said, “and we’re happy with him and we want to just keep building and growing.”

Demps and Williams agreed that finding the right additions would be more complicated than that because they want players who fit their style both offensively and defensively.

“Chris is the kind of guy you need to put athletes and shooters around him,” Williams said. “It’s easy to say you’ve got to get (a player at a certain spot), but in getting that, does it fit with what we do? ... There’s no need in having a guy who can flat out knock down shots but he couldn’t guard a bike if he was riding it.

“The fit makes more sense to me.”