Hornets, GM Dell Demps agree on extension

• The Hornets signed GM Dell Demps to a multi-year extension
• Demps became the Hornets general manager prior to the 2011-12 season
• "Dell has a bright future ahead as the GM of our team," said Hornets executive Mickey Loomis

In August, the New Orleans Hornets secured their coach for the present and future when they signed Monty Williams to a four-year extension.

On Friday, they locked up general manager Dell Demps, signing him to multi-year extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed in new release announcing the deal, but a person familiar with the extension told USA TODAY Sports that the extension is for three years with a team option on a fourth year. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about terms of the extension.

"Dell has a bright future ahead as the GM of our team and (Hornets owner) Mr. (Tom) Benson, and I couldn't be more impressed with the track this team is on and are excited about the future," Hornets executive vice president Mickey Loomis said in a statement. "He has helped shape this organization with the current team of young, talented players and we look forward to seeing the growth of the franchise during this exciting time for the franchise."

Demps, who previously worked in the front office for the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, became New Orleans' GM before to the 2010-11 season, which was also Williams' first season with the Hornets. New Orleans reached the playoffs and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

At the start of the 2011-12 season immediately following the lockout, Demps found himself in the middle of an controversy, involving point guard Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA, which owned the Hornets at the time.

The Hornets were part of a three-team deal that would have sent Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New Orleans would have received forward Luis Scola and guards Kevin Martin and Goran Dragic from the Houston Rockets, who were set to acquire forward Pau Gasol from the Lakers.

However, the NBA, which had to approve all Hornets trade, didn't like the deal for New Orleans' future, and essentially instructed Demps to find a better deal. The Hornets ended up trading Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers and received guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and a first-round pick in the 2012 draft.

In the summer, the Hornets drafted center Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick and guard Austin Rivers with the No. 10 pick and signed Gordon to a four-year, $58 million deal.

"I love the city of New Orleans and am fortunate enough to be surrounded by great people that make us a great organization," Demps said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Coach Monty Williams and producing a team to make the people of New Orleans proud to call their own."