--All-Star point guard Chris Paul has had a busy summer. He became a father for the first time, took two classes at Wake Forest, conducted a series of clinics in New Orleans, then headed to China to conduct more clinics. Paul said he was eager to return to China, where he helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

--C Hilton Armstrong will be reunited with a former teammate at the University of Connecticut when C Emeka Okafor joins the team. Okafor called Armstrong "my little dude," then kiddingly complained that Armstrong was big-timing him when he didn't immediately return Okafor's phone call after the trade that brought him to New Orleans.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Tyson Chandler (ankle surgery/toe surgery) is recovering from both procedures, which were done on his left foot. He's expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

--F James Posey (arthroscopic knee surgery) had cartilage removed from his right knee and is expected to be ready to play before training camp.

--F Peja Stojakovic (back) missed 17 games late in the season because of back spasms and is expected to fully recover without surgery.

DRAFT PICKS:

Darren Collison, G, 6-0, UCLA (first round) -- The Hornets like his experience, toughness and ability to push the ball. The plan is for Collison to be an understudy to Chris Paul and spell Paul for 10-plus minutes per game.

Marcus Thornton, G, 6-4, LSU (second round) -- Despite concerns about Thornton's size and athleticism as a defensive two-guard, the Hornets like Thornton's ability to score. He'll battle for playing time behind Rasual Butler and Morris Peterson.