Could it be? Has current New Orleans all world point guard Chris Paul developed a case of Lebron-itus and be having thoughts of forcing a trade out of the floundering Hornets franchise and to a contender? The answer is definitively yes, although some reports suggest that Paul is just using the Hornets as a negotiating chip to force the organization to get serious about becoming a contender. He has already formulated a wish list of teams that he would like to go to that include the NY Knicks, Orlando, Portland, New Jersey, and the LA Lakers. Interesting list, but seriously, doesn’t everyone want to play for the Lakers?
Apparently Hornets management is taking Paul’s demands seriously since they have scheduled a face-to-face meeting between franchise player, coach, and GM on Monday, with the outcome to surely become front page news now that the aftermath of Lebron fleeing to Miami has thankfully died down. Although Paul is arguably a Top 5 player and the game’s best point guard, should players have the power to essentially blackmail their current employer into trading them to a team of the player’s liking?
Although the Hornets have not officially begun shopping Paul just yet, they may want to at least consider trading CP3 in an effort to cut costs. After all New Orleans has been cash strapped for a number of years now and is in desperate need of a roster overhaul and a decrease in overall players salary. If Paul is to be sent elsewhere, it is likely that his new team would also have to accept Emeka Okafor and the remaining $52 million remaining on his giant contract. While it’s nice to have a wish list of where a player would like to play, there are obviously a lot of financial and players available in return to work out. With that being said, here are my Top 5 possible destinations for CP3, ranked in order of probability:
1) Orlando Magic
At first reaction, one might say that the Magic already have an All Star caliber point guard in Jameer Nelson as a compliment to perennial MVP and Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Dwight Howard. Although supremely talented, Nelson has a history of injuries and too be honest, he doesn’t possess the sheer game-changing abilities of Paul. I don’t think that I am going out on a limb by saying that an essential swap of floor generals could be a decisive factor that gets the Magic over the hump in their elusive title chase.
In return, Orlando doesn’t necessarily have a lot to give back in return other than young players Ryan Anderson, rookie project Daniel Orton, and Vince Carter, who with a team option for $18 million, is in the last year of his deal. Surely Magic fans will want to sacrifice losing Vin-sanity, who was a tad disappointing this season, for a chance at landing a second All NBA 1st Teamer on the roster. Not to mention that Paul would presumedly be in heaven with all of the scoing options like Rashard Lewis, JJ Redick, and Dwight Howard at the rim. With Paul in the fold in orlando, Howard would probably develop sever callouses on his wrists and fingers from shooting nearly 80% from the field, with virtually all shot attempts coming on dunks, set up from perfect passes from CP3.
2) New York Knicks
Can you imagine the numbers Paul, as the game’s best passer, could potentially put up in coach D’Antoni’s uptempo system? He could approach historic assist numbers and be an instant MVP candidate passing to Amare Stoudemire in the post, and Danilo Galinari and Carmelo Anthony(?) on the wings. Although a good player before coming to Phoenix, remember how Steve Nash flourished under D’Antoni with a less than stellar supporting cast.
As previously mentioned, if Paul ends up in New York, it could make Carmelo Anthony think twice about not signing an extension with Denver, and coming to NY to form the Knicks own “Big 3“ superpower to rival the one forming in South Beach.
In return, the Knicks have good but not great to offer in exchange for Paul. Number one would have to be the expiring $11 million contract of Eddy Curry. They do have value in newly acquired Anthony Randolph, whom many consider a possible burgeoning superstar, along with Galinari, who is emerging(if not already) as one of the NBA’s best shooters. The one area that the Knicks are behind the eight ball is in 1st round draft choices as they quite simply don’t have one for the next few seasons because of past trades. Would you sacrifice a great shooter in Danilo in an attempt to grab the game’s best floor general to possibly pair him with another Top 5 player in Anthony?
3) Portland Trailblazers
Supposedly the Blazers have already shown a tremendous amount of interest in Paul and have offered New Orleans a number of unknown players, draft picks, etc, with little response back from the Hornets. After playing a number of seasons now on the brink of being a true title contender, teaming Paul alongside Brandon Roy may put them over the hump and help to challenge the Lakers for Western supremecy.
Portland does have a few valuable assets to send the Hornets’ way like the expiring $7.4 million contract of big man Joel Pryzbilla, who is currently rehabbing from injury, but can be counted on to be a dominating rebounder and defensive force around the basket when healthy. They also could ship aging, yet crafty veteran point guard Andre Miller, young studs like Jerryd Bayless and Scottie Pippen-esque Nicolas Batum, or even Rudy Fernandez to the “NO” before he decides to go back to Europe. It seems that injuries are always a concern in Portland and adding a healthy CP3 could make the difference.
4) LA Lakers
I know what your thinking,…………………………….the Lakers? It’s true, even though it’s a longshot but Paul has LA on his magical wish list. But is it even a possibility and would Lakers management even consider a drastic altering of the roster considering they are back-to-back champs and already poised to make a run at a third? As long as Phil Jackson is still coach, probably not, since it is doubtful that Jackson would abandon his tried and true “Triangle Offense” even if it meant pairing Paul alongside Kobe Bryant. Surely Kobe is all for any move which lessens the sometimes unbearable offensive load he carries, now that he is into his 30‘s.
When it comes to players to return in a trade, the Lakers aren’t at the top of the list since when you win titles, you annually get horrible draft selections. But what they do have is the amazingly talented 22 year old center Andrew Bynum, who even though he is oft injured, still has an intruiging upside. In addition, sharpshooter Sasha Vujacic’s $5 million deal comes off the books after this season with Lamar Odom’s combined $17 million coming off in 2012.
5) New Jersey Nets
This year’s big free agent losers ultimately have a ton of cash and draft picks to throw at any impending deal. After all, what will they do with all of the money that was stockpiled in hopes of landing Lebron James? The Nets did sign 3-4 mid to lower tier free agents but still have enough in reserve to make a play at Paul. Of course, if they lose out once again, they can once again play out the season and be major players for the Class of 2011 free agent crop.
And exactly what assets do the Nets have to send in return for a deal involving Paul? Nothing difference making, since surely #3 overall pick Derrick Favors and Brook Lopez are off the table. They do have former All Star Devin Harris at the point, along with some young and rising talent in Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee, and Anthony Morrow to use as trade bait. The real question would be, with so many good options available, why would Paul want to play for New Jersey?
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
