Paul 'excused' from Hornets media event

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Hornets officials say they've excused Chris Paul from a normally mandatory preseason media event.

Hornets spokesman Dennis Rogers says the decision to keep the star guard away from Wednesday's event at the New Orleans Arena was mutual.

Paul has not spoken to reporters since reporting for training camp last Friday.

The Hornets have sought to trade the four-time All-Star since the NBA lockout ended, but the league-owned team has been having trouble reaching a deal that satisfies NBA Commissioner David Stern, who is acting as the Hornets' owner.

Stern has nixed one trade with the Los Angeles Lakers because he did not think the Hornets were receiving enough in return. The Clippers also have tried to trade for Paul, but say the NBA's asking price is too high.