How things have changed. Chris Paul is not requesting a trade and new Hornets general manager Dell Demps is confident that Paul will be in New Orleans next season. Well, that's no fun.

What happened to Paul forming another super team in New York or Orlando?

"I expressed my desire to win and I like what they said about the direction that they want to take the team," Paul said in a statement after meeting with team officials Monday.

The star point guard may want to reevaluate the roster if he likes the direction of the franchise. Emeka Okafor and Peja Stojakovic are on the books for more than $25 million next season and Paul's most promising young teammates -- Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton -- will make for a crowded backcourt.

But at least Paul is taking responsibility to elevate the team that drafted him instead of taking his talents to a team with All-Stars already in place.