Chris Paul may desire to go elsewhere, but he is still under contract with the New Orleans Hornets for two more seasons. For that reason, the Hornets appear to be holding the line on trading him, at least for now.
Sources told ESPN.com that teams inquiring about Paul's availability in recent days -- and there have been several after persistent media reports suggesting that Paul will formally request to be traded at a meeting Monday -- were greeted with the same resistance to Paul offers that the Hornets have maintained for months.
"They say they aren't moving him," one rival team executive said of the Hornets.
Sources with knowledge of New Orleans' thinking said over the weekend that the Hornets' stance is unlikely to change, at least in the short term, even if Paul himself tells the Hornets for the first time that he wants out.
Hornets president Hugh Webber, new general manager Dell Demps and new coach Monty Williams will meet with Paul today to convince him that they can build a contender around him. Demps will speak to the media afterwards.
Paul has submitted a list of preferred trade destinations, with the Orlando Magic reportedly in the lead over the New York Knicks. The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers are also on his list.