Crazy⑧s
Evacuee
A scenario similar to the speculation that swirled after LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony plotted their exit strategies to play for their desired teams appears to playing out for Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
John McCusker / The Times Picayune
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul has been the subject of trade rumors. Some speculate that Paul would like to become part of a superteam featuring players such as Carmelo Anthony, right.
Rumors are kicking up again about Paul?s desire to play for the New York Knicks. And interest is peaking among teams willing to make a deal to acquire Paul in a trade.
The Hornets still aim to sign Paul to a long-term extension but have had trade discussions with several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, sources said.
But Paul has stayed out of the fray, at least publicly.
?I try not to pay attention to all of that different type of stuff,? Paul told reporters Tuesday in New York during a charity event. ?My heart is in New Orleans.?
Though he can opt out of his current deal after this season, leaving New Orleans won?t be as easy for Paul as it was for James to leave Cleveland for Miami or for Anthony to bolt midseason from Denver for the bright lights of New York.
League owners won their fight for competitive balance during the 149-day lockout, and Paul is the first elite player likely to feel its impact.
The new labor deal makes it harder for elite players to join forces to create superteams like the Miami Heat?s trio of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and James, who lost to the Dallas Mavericks in last season?s Finals.
With new rules in place, Paul can?t gain the same big-money contract options that his buddies, James and Anthony, received last season. As a result of the new collective bargaining agreement, star players must accept less money and shorter contracts if they want to change teams.
If Paul goes the route of Anthony and forces an extend-and-trade deal, he would be permitted to sign only a one-year extension as opposed to the three-year, $65 million extension Anthony received.
Even if Paul decides to opt out of his contract with the Hornets after this season and explore free agency this summer, he would stand to lose up to $26 million if he turned down the Hornets? maximum five-year, $100 million offer. The most Paul could earn from another team is a four-year, $74 million contract.
Fearing they would lose James without getting compensation, the Cavaliers agreed to a sign-and-trade last summer with the Heat, which paved the way for James? six-year, $110 million contract. Under the new agreement, that is no longer possible.
If Paul intends to fulfill his playful toast at Anthony?s wedding last summer promising to create his own Big Three in New York involving him, Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, he would have to take a pay cut.
If Paul opts out and goes to the Knicks, instead of earning the $17.7 million left on his deal for the final year, he would earn $4 million less in his first year in New York than if he remains in New Orleans.
Paul could sign a two-year extension to remain with the Hornets, but he would not be able to force a trade. Under the new agreement, which is expected to be ratified soon, the Hornets would be prohibited from trading him for six months. If the Hornets traded Paul before agreeing to an extension, he would have to wait six months to sign one with his new team.
Hornets officials said General Manager Dell Demps was unavailable for comment Wednesday, the first day the league permitted teams to speak to the news media since the lockout ended.
Hornets players can begin using the Alario Center today, and Paul is expected to participate in workouts. With free agency and training camp starting Dec. 9, the Hornets have only four other players under contract: guard Jarrett Jack, forwards Trevor Ariza and Quincy Pondexter, and center Emeka Okafor.
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Let's compare potential trade scenarios for the 3 teams mentioned [out of the apparent several]
Knicks:
Celtics:
Clippers:
Just to get an idea of what we're up against prior to adding any picks we don't have.
John McCusker / The Times Picayune
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul has been the subject of trade rumors. Some speculate that Paul would like to become part of a superteam featuring players such as Carmelo Anthony, right.
Rumors are kicking up again about Paul?s desire to play for the New York Knicks. And interest is peaking among teams willing to make a deal to acquire Paul in a trade.
The Hornets still aim to sign Paul to a long-term extension but have had trade discussions with several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, sources said.
But Paul has stayed out of the fray, at least publicly.
?I try not to pay attention to all of that different type of stuff,? Paul told reporters Tuesday in New York during a charity event. ?My heart is in New Orleans.?
Though he can opt out of his current deal after this season, leaving New Orleans won?t be as easy for Paul as it was for James to leave Cleveland for Miami or for Anthony to bolt midseason from Denver for the bright lights of New York.
League owners won their fight for competitive balance during the 149-day lockout, and Paul is the first elite player likely to feel its impact.
The new labor deal makes it harder for elite players to join forces to create superteams like the Miami Heat?s trio of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and James, who lost to the Dallas Mavericks in last season?s Finals.
With new rules in place, Paul can?t gain the same big-money contract options that his buddies, James and Anthony, received last season. As a result of the new collective bargaining agreement, star players must accept less money and shorter contracts if they want to change teams.
If Paul goes the route of Anthony and forces an extend-and-trade deal, he would be permitted to sign only a one-year extension as opposed to the three-year, $65 million extension Anthony received.
Even if Paul decides to opt out of his contract with the Hornets after this season and explore free agency this summer, he would stand to lose up to $26 million if he turned down the Hornets? maximum five-year, $100 million offer. The most Paul could earn from another team is a four-year, $74 million contract.
Fearing they would lose James without getting compensation, the Cavaliers agreed to a sign-and-trade last summer with the Heat, which paved the way for James? six-year, $110 million contract. Under the new agreement, that is no longer possible.
If Paul intends to fulfill his playful toast at Anthony?s wedding last summer promising to create his own Big Three in New York involving him, Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, he would have to take a pay cut.
If Paul opts out and goes to the Knicks, instead of earning the $17.7 million left on his deal for the final year, he would earn $4 million less in his first year in New York than if he remains in New Orleans.
Paul could sign a two-year extension to remain with the Hornets, but he would not be able to force a trade. Under the new agreement, which is expected to be ratified soon, the Hornets would be prohibited from trading him for six months. If the Hornets traded Paul before agreeing to an extension, he would have to wait six months to sign one with his new team.
Hornets officials said General Manager Dell Demps was unavailable for comment Wednesday, the first day the league permitted teams to speak to the news media since the lockout ended.
Hornets players can begin using the Alario Center today, and Paul is expected to participate in workouts. With free agency and training camp starting Dec. 9, the Hornets have only four other players under contract: guard Jarrett Jack, forwards Trevor Ariza and Quincy Pondexter, and center Emeka Okafor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's compare potential trade scenarios for the 3 teams mentioned [out of the apparent several]
Knicks:
Celtics:
Clippers:
Just to get an idea of what we're up against prior to adding any picks we don't have.