Via The Times-Picayune

“We exchanged numerous texts, and he said he wanted to be involved in the process,” Demps said of Paul. “We thought that this was a good opportunity to involve him. It’s a player’s league, it’s a player’s game, why not ask the guys that are playing? It was not running (the trade) by him, but asking questions. You can never ask too many questions.”

Demps said that the decision to part with Darren Collison in order to bring back Trevor Ariza was a difficult one.

“It was tough to trade Darren, it was really hard to do that,” Demps said. “It’s one of those situations where it’s a win-win for everyone. Darren’s going to get the opportunity to go play at Indiana. They called on him numerous times. From the moment I started (in the latter half of July), he’s been getting so many calls. But I think he’s in a situation where he’ll (thrive).

I think what can be said more than anything here is that bringing in Ariza proves the Hornets are willing to spend and add young athletes around Paul. And his involvement shows that they both sides seem committed to staying together…at this point.

Oneandonlycp3

CP3

@Oneandonlycp3: “The meeting went well.  It was great to get an opportunity to sit down with Coach Williams, President Weber (cont) http://tl.gd/2ooelf

Jul 26, 2010 @ 05:36 PM from UberTwitter

Clearly, to me, this statement signifies the Hornets are in zero rush to deal him. But anything can happen.

Discuss.

Via ESPN

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 Monday’s meeting — 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.

Who are the Hornets’ rivals? The Thunder? Memphis? A team from Texas? The Nuggets? Ah. It’s a Marc Stein story so it’s definitely an executive of the Mavericks, whom the Hornets took out in the first round of the playoffs a few years back.

Via Times-Picayune

A source close to Paul said he has not yet formally told the Hornets to trade him, but he plans to inform them during Monday’s meeting he would be willing to play elsewhere if they cannot accommodate his wishes to improve the roster.

Nothing new, other than confirming the sense that this may move forward quickly. I’ve heard otherwise, but that can change quickly.

Via Hoopsworld

Just days before “The Decision” aired on ESPN, James and Paul had a lengthy phone conversation with Amar’e Stoudemire, who had just signed with the New York Knicks. The trio discussed the possibility of playing together in New York. Stoudemire was already there, James would sign next, and then Paul would demand a trade to the Knicks.

Some reports have indicated that it was always Paul’s plan to join James once his contract was up but when the Hornets didn’t pursue free agents and surround him with the talent he wanted, it sped along the process. James would ultimately sign with the Miami Heat, where the supporting cast of stars was a sure thing, but the seed was already planted in Paul’s head. Though James was out of the picture, the dialogue continued and that weekend, the point guard jokingly announced at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding that a new big three – consisting of himself, Stoudemire, and Anthony – was going to form in New York.

This is why when Paul first created a wish list of trade destinations, New York was atop his list. He wanted to compete with James, Wade, and Bosh and get in on the fun. But because Paul would likely be packaged with Emeka Okafor’s bad contract, the dream scenario would be dead as the Knicks wouldn’t be able to sign Anthony next summer. Updating his list with more “realistic” options, Paul now sees a trade to Orlando as his ideal situation.

People I talked to truly believed that Amar’e felt James to NY was very likely even up to 2 days before the decision. It was closer than the national media ever reported, I’m told.

The next step for the Knicks is to figure a way for the team to figure out what the priority is here. Is it waiting to see what Melo does? If he signs then they have to aggressively pursuit Paul i would think, although it sounds like fans are excited by the prospects of developing youth. It depends on what the cost is, and that’s still an unknown. From what I’ve heard a deal at this time is “highly unlikely” as Demps is not going to rush to make a deal in his first few weeks on the job, but all that can change come Monday.

Regardless, the Knicks have some assets and are not rushing into any deals either way.

Via CBS

Paul’s desire, according to a person familiar with his strategy, is to follow in LeBron James‘ footsteps by joining forces with one or more elite players. While the Lakers are viewed as a long-shot scenario, the Magic and Knicks both present tantalizing possibilities. In Orlando, Paul would team with Dwight Howard, who already has informed Magic management that he wants to play with Paul. In New York, Paul would play the role of a younger, higher-octane Steve Nash by pairing with Amar’e Stoudemire in Mike D’Antoni’s offense, which was invented for a point guard of Paul’s exquisite gifts.

For starters, any team hoping to land Paul would have to take Emeka Okafor and his onerous contract, which pays him $53.2 million over the next four years. If New Orleans decided to entertain offers for Paul, the team also likely would insist on including James Posey, owed $13.4 million over the next two years. The Magic could offer Vince Carter, who has only $4 million of his $18.3 million guaranteed for the 2011-12 season, as well as draft picks. The Knicks don’t have draft picks to offer, but since they’re approximately $3 million under the cap, they could take back $3 million more salary than they send out in the deal — a significant cost savings for the Hornets in addition to the $3 million cash the Knicks wouldn’t think twice about adding to the deal. By acquiring Anthony Randolph and Kelenna Azubuike from Golden State in a sign-and-trade for David Lee, the Knicks also have young assets to pair with Danilo Gallinari and/or Wilson Chandler in a credible proposal for Paul.

Everyone I’ve talked to has said that financial relief is essential in the deal. This is and will always be a dilemma because you can bet Paul wants Carmelo involved if he wants to follow the Miami model. But Melo may end up staying anyway.And as we’ve said, Tony Parker is waiting in the wings.

I can’t see Okafor fitting the system and his contract stinks, but he’s a great shock blocker. Can he and Amar’e play together? If it gets you Chris Paul can’t D’Antoni figure it out? If they can get Paul, even with Okafor, can Paul be sold on Gallinari as a decent the third option?

This is a tough one to gauge. People have said to me that Parker will ask for the max. I can’t see that being the case. Plus Paul has little leverage here. Sitting out will kill his brand. That will pretty much be two years of not playing. He won’t sit.

Via NY Post

According to an NBA executive familiar with Knicks team president Donnie Walsh’s thinking, the Knicks are willing to include in a trade anyone other than Amar’e Stoudemire for Chris Paul, knowing how badly the superstar point guard wants to come to New York.

The Knicks will soon find out if Paul is available.

On Monday, Paul is expected to meet with new Hornets GM Dell Demps, new coach Monty Williams and president Hugh Weber in the Big Easy, according to a Hornets official.

“Amar’e won’t be traded, but everyone else is available,” the executive said…Also, their three Golden State acquisitions can only be traded separately until Dec. 15 and can not be paired up in a trade. The biggest trade pawn of the Golden State trio is coveted Anthony Randolph…”

The last part of the statement is not true. The Knicks are under the cap and can trade any of the recently acquired players in a package (thanks DL for the confirmation) before Dec 15th.

And it’s pretty common knowledge that any player on the roster is available especially if it means not having to take back Okafor’s contract. As we reported yesterday, it sounds more and more like Tony Parker is firmly in place next year as a back up plan should the Hornets hold Okafor as the deal breaker.

I would think that they’d want Anthony Randolph over Gallinari, who would be quite partner stretching the floor with Paul and Stoudemire. I would also have to imagine that the Knicks would hold off Gallo AND Randolph in a deal. But at this point you never know.

This is not like the “Decision.”

This is not some sham of a set up leading to a decision that crapped on the very foundation of the “Magic/Bird” post-ABA NBA. We know how important individuals were to the league and their markets. It was why I was always against expansion to begin with, but the almightly dollar always wins out. As Andrew Smith said on TKB.tv last week, contraction has to be considered when CBA discussions are held.

This is not a circus, but the media will try to make it one.

This is about trading a star player, while not ruining your franchise.

Chris Paul wants out. That city is and has been, in peril for some time. And when they were running and gunning, the NBA was in love with the Hornets. Sadly and ironically, they have to rebuild, and, if you believe the reports,  it looks like they’ll be doing it without their franchise player.

So what do you do if you’re Dell Demps? You create an atmosphere of youth and hope. You acquire players who want to be there and are starving for minutes.

National tragedies aside, New Orleans is one of the world’s great cities. They have the Saints. It’s a good sports town. They have LSU. Louisiana is a proud state. So far I’ve read that Dallas has the best inside shot. How?  First of all, they don’t have the contracts to match. Caron Butler is a good contract, but a package of Butler, Jason Terry etc etc won’t match. So what’s the offer? A third team?

Boston? Again, why on earth would Demps bring in a star PG like Rajon Rondo, a player who has been rumored to be a pain in the locker room? Doesn’t make sense. Trade an unhappy star because you can’t surround him with talent for another star who’d be pissed to be in the same situation?

No way.

The Blazers have assets, but again, they have to match salaries. Would the Hornets do Przybilla or Andre Miller along with a few younger pieces and picks? Maybe.

You rebuild with youth and exuberance. By acquiring assets and maintaining flexibility.Then you hope to stink enough to score in the draft. With a star player, it’s tough to convince them to lose enough games to be helped in the lottery, where a high pick takes several years to develop into a playoff star. Face it, Kevin Durant hasn’t been out of the first round yet.

Stars want rings.

Who knows if the Knicks can swing a deal. I think they can and have as valuable chips as anyone.  The Hornets have to draw people with the hopes of winning. But plugging in NBA veterans with moderate to bad contracts along with draft picks isn’t the right move, to me. I’d rally around youth and the hunger for minutes.

Or you keep Paul and spend money to bring in more pieces or move the team to another city.

This isn’t about Lebron, this is about a classic NBA business decison where the team, and the player to a degree, need to figure out what’s best for the franchise.

sportsguy33

Bill Simmons

@sportsguy33: Rondo + Sheed's waivable deal + '11 no. 1 + 3 mill for CP3 + Posey. RT @joshlacey33: Let's hear your idea of a paul to boston

Jul 22, 2010 @ 02:16 PM from UberTwitter

Rondo in New Orleans with no help? Along with Collison? Geez, and I’m sure the Hornets will do flips over a late first rounder. No chance.

sportsguy33

Bill Simmons

@sportsguy33: CP3 waited too long: had he gone public last month, NYK-NJ-Dal had the cap room/assets to deal. The most realistic matches now: Hou or Bos.

Jul 22, 2010 @ 02:11 PM from UberTwitter

How do you figure that? Sure, Paul’s demands are at the mercy of the owner, but the Knicks have the same assets the Rockets do. Maybe better.

sportsguy33

Bill Simmons

@sportsguy33: He bailed 5 weeks ago. NJ trade almost happened. Everyone knew in mid-June he was gettable. RT @GregoryOdd: Thoughts on CP3 wanting to bail?

Jul 22, 2010 @ 02:04 PM from UberTwitter

You are correct sir, the Nets trade certainly almost did happen.

Let’s get one thing straight here. If the Hornets are going to give up their franchise player, the team receiving him has to save their franchise. Which means that they have to either absorb contracts, or provide New Orleans with young talent. Frankly,  if the Knicks want to distinguish themselves from the Lakers and Magic right now, and get Paul, taking Emaka Okafor’s contract would get it done.

Simple as that.

If I’m Donnie Walsh I stay patient because I have assets to offer that, in comparison to Los Angeles and Orlando, look pretty darn attractive and competitive.

Any deal would have to include either Anthony Randolph, who played college ball in Louisiana at LSU, or Danilo Gallinari. The Hornets just drafted two forwards in Quincy Pondexter and Knicks favorite Craig Brackins so they are solid at forward, but Randolph would be attractive because he can play multiple positions. I imagine they’d lean towards him rather than Gallo, considering the Bee’s have Peja under contract for another year.

I would imagine the Hornets are pressed to allow Darren Collison to start if they moved Paul. Since the Knicks can’t trade Raymond Felton until December, per league rules, that means Toney Douglas would probably be included in the deal and would serve as Collison’s backup. The Hornets may wait this out anyway, so Felton could be in play, but I imagine because of his contract Douglas would be more attractive.

Okafor or not I would imagine the deal would have to include size.  So that means that Ronny Turiaf’s stay in NY may be over, unless the Hornets would be interested in Mosgov (Dec 15)  or Jerome Jordan for depth up front.

The wildcard here, besides Okafor, would be Eddy Curry‘s contract. I would hold that out at all costs. Frankly, I’d have a hard time giving away Randolph in a deal that forced us to take back Okafor.  If the Knicks could get Paul without having to take Okafor and without giving up Curry’s contract, then it’s party time. Something like Douglas, Randolph, Turiaf and future draft picks would be a decent place to start conversations for just CP3, and I think that’s as competitive an offer that the Hornets could see. The Hornets would have to wait until 2014 to secure a first round pick from NY, but since both LA and Orlando are top conference teams, their first round picks would be at the end of the round and don’t hold substancial more value before 2014 anyway.

The Lakers can center the deal around Bynum, who is fragile and has a huge contract. But they can toss in recent draft picks in Ebanks and Character. But their offense isn’t centered around a traditional PG. In fact, Phil Jackson probably couldn’t pick one out of a lineup.  Orlando can put together a Jameer Nelson, Pietrus, Daniel Orton/future picks situation just for Paul, but I don’t know if that’s enticing enough.

Again, the Hornets would want financial benefits, as well as the ability to acquire depth.

That said, the Knicks will be wise to stay patient here and we’ve talked about how Paul has already expressed interest in the Big Apple.

But if they want to immediately jump to the head of the pack and seal the deal by having an advantage over both LA and Orlando, they’d have to take back Okafor’s contract.

Of course, there can always be a 3rd team involved as well.

Stay tuned…

Via nola.com

Earlier this month, Paul urged the franchise to become an active player in free agency and said if they aren’t serious about winning a championship, he would welcome a trade. Paul has two years remaining on his contract before he can opt out and pursue free agency.

“He (Paul) wants to be in New Orleans,’’ (new head coach Monty) Williams said last week at the Las Vegas Summer League. ”He’s not said anything to me about any kind of movement. We’re going to sit down again before the season starts for sure. Again, I’m not going to jump to any conclusions that have been alleged.’’

Paul, as we know, is under contract for 2 more years, and the collective bargaining agreement could impact any opt-out decision. But let’s not make the new CBA or a lock-out a foregone conclusion. Everyone assumed the salary cap would never reach what it reached this year. I’ll relax on knee-jerk reactions. I want to focus on the good, young, nucleus the Knicks now possess and relish an underdog role,  with the hopes of adding Paul, Melo, or both, in the future. For now, I’m pumped about the pieces the Knicks have.

Via Chris Broussard (ESPN-NY):

With trade speculation swirling around him, Chris Paul said Wednesday that he’s open to a trade if the New Orleans Hornets aren’t committed to winning championships.

“My first choice is to be in New Orleans,” Paul said in a telephone interview from London. “I just want to make sure we’re committed to winning. If we’re not committed to winning and trying to get better so we can contend with the Lakers, the Celtics and all these other top teams, then I’m open to being traded.”

Reports that clubs have been making offers for Paul surfaced earlier this week. Hornets general manager Jeff Bower denied that the club was shopping its three-time All-Star point guard, but admitted to having dialogue with other teams concerning “all of our players.” New Hornets coach Monty Williams said he expects Paul to remain in New Orleans.

But around the league, speculation remains that the Hornets may move Paul. With owner George Shinn’s proposed sale to Gary Chouest being delayed for financial reasons, opposing executives believe New Orleans may have to trade Paul and the $50 million owed to him over the next three seasons.

“If George Shinn can’t sell the team, I think Chris Paul will be traded,” an executive from an Eastern Conference team said. “Shinn’s strapped for money. He’s going to have to move him.” (more…)

Via Yahoo:

“…As the July 1 start of free agency pushes closer, powerbroker William Wesley has been working multiple angles to NBA front offices about possible trades and signings. Here’s his latest: World Wide Wes has been pitching teams with salary-cap space that trading for New Orleans Hornets star Chris Paul(notes) will dramatically increase their chances of signing LeBron James(notes), multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports.

New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower has no intention of trading Paul, but multiple league executives believe that until owner George Shinn closes on the team’s sale with billionaire oilman Gary Chouest, there is a price with which Paul could be pried away.

He can be had with Shinn in there, but once the new guy takes over, he’s off the market,” one senior front-office executive told Y! Sports. Can Wesley deliver Paul? Extremely doubtful, but that hasn’t stopped his sales pitch to teams, league sources said…read more.”