The CP3 thread

[SWedd523]

I really, really hate to make a ballwhore-like post, but...




I caught word today that Chris Paul was recently in Charlotte having a "meeting" with Michael Jordan. Now the meeting could be about many different things, but I would like to assume (hope) that it was about the potential trade possibilities as he recently claimed he'd be open to one.



So please take that with a gigantic grain of salt, but don't give up hope yet! We might still have something in the works

[Black]

I really, really hate to make a ballwhore-like post, but...




I caught word today that Chris Paul was recently in Charlotte having a "meeting" with Michael Jordan. Now the meeting could be about many different things, but I would like to assume (hope) that it was about the potential trade possibilities as he recently claimed he'd be open to one.



So please take that with a gigantic grain of salt, but don't give up hope yet! We might still have something in the works

I'll bite...where did you hear it?

[ammofan]

I really, really hate to make a ballwhore-like post, but...




I caught word today that Chris Paul was recently in Charlotte having a "meeting" with Michael Jordan. Now the meeting could be about many different things, but I would like to assume (hope) that it was about the potential trade possibilities as he recently claimed he'd be open to one.



So please take that with a gigantic grain of salt, but don't give up hope yet! We might still have something in the works


Really???

You know I also was gonna post something like this the other day but I didnt want to be like ballwhore or anything. Anyway I was out eating and watching the USA soccer game on saturday and I was sitting behind this group of people who were talking all about the NBA and LeBron, etc etc...
Later on I decided that they were sports writers because the one guy, who had all the info on everything, was from out of town and he had mentioned covering a team. Their was also another woman who seemed to be quite knowledgable, that was sitting with him. The first guy started talking about the Bobcats with the woman and thats when my attention was captured by their conversation. So I was listening in and they started talking about Chris Paul. The one guy said that MJ wasnt sure if he wanted to bring CP3 in for various reason and he wasnt completely sure if we could get him. The lady said that she heard MJ and LB were bringing in CP3 in a few days to talk with him about something and that LB wanted to bring in CP3 for next season at any cost.

So yeah, Im shocked that you heard that Swedd because it pretty much backs up what I heard on Saturday.

And again, I dont know who these people were or anything but they definatley had some sort of 'hookup'.

Oh yeah, while they were eating the woman answered the phone and was talking for a few minutes, and when she hung up, she told the guy it was Pat the Bobcats announcer. lolololol

[Black]

is there anyway this happens without giving up gerald or jack?

[ND22]

^ Do not tease me, please do not tease me. I'm going to eat all that speculation up.

[Black]

^ Do not tease me, please do not tease me. I'm going to eat all that speculation up.

me too, im hungry for off season action, and if speculation is the only thing on the table, then keep it coming

[SWedd523]

I can't disclose where I got the information for obvious reasons. But hopefully my "reputation" is enough to garner some sort of believability. I have never posted a rumor in my tenure on BCP and wouldn't have posted this if I didn't trust it.



Add that in with what Ammofan just mentioned and I can't help but assume that we're heavily, albeit quietly, targeting Chris Paul. This could, of course, never come to fruition for whatever reasons so don't bash me if it doesn't. There is absolutely no way to confirm anything as there is too much going on with other teams to know for sure.


Have hope fellow BCP fanatics!

[Weezy21]

is there anyway this happens without giving up gerald or jack?

it would be hard not to...the only way i see it happening, is if paul meets with the owner behind closed doors and says "i am not signing here long term and want to go back home to nc...i won't publicly say this, but if you dont trade me, i will b forced too tell the world I want out"

but even then, we would b lucky to not have to give up either wallace/jack...i imagine we would have to take on some horrible contracts...maybe even okafor again:facepalm:...but i think it would b worth it...obviously it would show us that jordan wants to win at any cost...maybe that means no tyrus??

C-Okafor
PF-Diaw/Tyrus
SF-Wallace
SG-Jack
PG-CP3

that starting line-up would be insane...but i am not getting my hopes up...i think the only way the hornets give up cp3 is for wallace

[teej]

The fact that it's been mentioned seriously means it won't happen.

We never know what's going to happen until it already has. Not even Tyrus was expected. Much less Jack, Theo Ratliff, Flip, Gana, J-Rich, Diaw/Bell, or Vladi. Or even Nazr. And sure as hell not DJ or Lexy.

And CP3 is part of Jordan Brand...

[ohara831]

We landed Jax in a good deal. Although I would miss his scoring, giving up Jax for CP3 is a no-brainer in my eyes. I would do that deal yesterday.

[ziggy]

I can't disclose where I got the information for obvious reasons. But hopefully my "reputation" is enough to garner some sort of believability. I have never posted a rumor in my tenure on BCP and wouldn't have posted this if I didn't trust it.



Add that in with what Ammofan just mentioned and I can't help but assume that we're heavily, albeit quietly, targeting Chris Paul. This could, of course, never come to fruition for whatever reasons so don't bash me if it doesn't. There is absolutely no way to confirm anything as there is too much going on with other teams to know for sure.


Have hope fellow BCP fanatics!

I've heard a couple of little things, nothing quite as juicy as Swedd's or ammofan's info though.

Please lord let it happen.

[ziggy]

I split this off into it's own thread, I think this topic easily deserves it.

[ND22]

The fact that 3 of us have heard rumblings of this is....actually i can't think of a word for it. I just hope these rumblings have merit.

[SWedd523]

The difference being, teej, is that there has been absolutely zero talk about this in the media. The other CP3 trade rumblings have been to package him somewhere with LeBron. Other than that, there haven't been any talks of a Charlotte trade.

You also know I'm not one to announce that sort of rumor unless I thought it had some sort of merit. I'm certainly not trying to rouse attention for myself or the site and I don't want to put my "rep" on the line. The major point of my post was to take it with a huge grain of salt because there are so many different variables that can prove me completely wrong.


So hopefully it still falls under the "only trades made by the Bobcats have come out of nowhere" category. God knows I'd trade anybody on the roster (including Crash) if it meant bringing CP3 on board.

[GoBobs]

I wouldn't trade Wallace but would give up anyone else. Problem is I don't think we have the kind of assets they would want without crash.

What is the most enticing non Wallace offer you guys can come up with. My stab would be:

DJ, Hendo, Nazr, future first(2014), offer for pick swap in 2011 and 2013

They might like to have chandler back for oak but that would be very awkward to say the least.

I would throw them Jackson in a heartbeat but, I doubt they would see much value in that.

[K1NGofAKR0N]

Really???

You know I also was gonna post something like this the other day but I didnt want to be like ballwhore or anything. Anyway I was out eating and watching the USA soccer game on saturday and I was sitting behind this group of people who were talking all about the NBA and LeBron, etc etc...
Later on I decided that they were sports writers because the one guy, who had all the info on everything, was from out of town and he had mentioned covering a team. Their was also another woman who seemed to be quite knowledgable, that was sitting with him. The first guy started talking about the Bobcats with the woman and thats when my attention was captured by their conversation. So I was listening in and they started talking about Chris Paul. The one guy said that MJ wasnt sure if he wanted to bring CP3 in for various reason and he wasnt completely sure if we could get him. The lady said that she heard MJ and LB were bringing in CP3 in a few days to talk with him about something and that LB wanted to bring in CP3 for next season at any cost.

So yeah, Im shocked that you heard that Swedd because it pretty much backs up what I heard on Saturday.

And again, I dont know who these people were or anything but they definatley had some sort of 'hookup'.

Oh yeah, while they were eating the woman answered the phone and was talking for a few minutes, and when she hung up, she told the guy it was Pat the Bobcats announcer. lolololol

haha nice intel work dude

[K1NGofAKR0N]

i would trade anybody. but not evrybody. not all our goods guys. we still need soemthing fro CP3 to work with

[K1NGofAKR0N]

and dont trade gerald. i want him to be here when we start to win he deserves it more than naybody in the whole leauge almsot all of sports for that matter. hardest working guy out there...

[Black]

if this happens, i am taking SWedd and ammofan out to dinner at Del Friscos.....waffle house....restaurant pending

[ammofan]

if this happens, i am taking SWedd and ammofan out to dinner at Del Friscos.....waffle house....restaurant pending

LOL.......Burger King for everyone! :D

[ammofan]

haha nice intel work dude

haha thanks. You know I was just sitting their with my family and I heard thes epeople behind me talking all about the Cats and NBA. I had to listen in!

[Dcarnys]

I wouldn't mind this at all.

1. ITs CP3
2. It would give us a reason to keep Tyson (even if we had to take Mek back i'd do it in a heartbeat)
3. CP3 has wanted to play for the Bobcats.

The only bad thing is we would have to find a new name for CP3.

[Muttley]

Okay, so this probably wouldn't go down without us also taking back Oak, which I'm cool with, but might be awkward for him. Anyways, that means probably an Oak-Tyson re-swap which can't happen until July 1. Additionally, Paul's BYC, presumably until July 1 also. The good news is, July 1 is Thursday. So, here's the best non-Gerald trade I could think of:

Paul & Okafor <---> Jack & DJ & Nazr & Tyson

I'd throw in a Henderson or Brown (not both) if they asked for it.

[DY_nasty]

we would have to find a new name for CP3
The Messiah

[teej]

Paul & Okafor <---> Jack & DJ & Nazr & Tyson

I'd throw in a Henderson or Brown (not both) if they asked for it.

If you add Nazr and take on Posey they may bite. I'd rather take on Peja than Mek.

[EC123]

is there anyway this happens without giving up gerald or jack?

You don't need Jack.

Get a freaking clue. Trade him and get something you need. Okafor ain't it, either.


Paul & Okafor <---> Jack & DJ & Nazr & Tyson

Who in their right mind would want Okafor back in Charlotte?


obviously it would show us that jordan wants to win at any cost...maybe that means no tyrus??

C-Okafor
PF-Diaw/Tyrus
SF-Wallace
SG-Jack
PG-CP3

that starting line-up would be insane...but i am not getting my hopes up...i think the only way the hornets give up cp3 is for wallace

Anybody putting Diaw over Thomas in the depth chart needs to give up on basketball analysis.

[Muttley]

You don't need Jack.

Get a freaking clue.



Who in their right mind would want Okafor bac in Charlotte?
You wouldn't take him to get Chris Paul? Really?

[sugarfree311]

CP would LOVE to play here.

And not sure that this is related, but I found it interesting - William Wesley was seen in Charlotte with MJ last Wednesday. Might not mean anything, but interesting nonetheless.

[SWedd523]

The only way we'd have a shot at trading for CP3 would have to fulfill four different requirements:

1. We'd have to send expiring contracts
2. We'd have to take long term contracts
3. We'd have to send them whatever young talent they desire
4. CP3 would have to "demand" a trade to Charlotte unless we send Crash




~1. We have plenty of expirings. Tyson and Nazr combine for about $20 million coming off the books next offseason. You could also throw in Tyrus if he accepts his QO for this coming year. It's doubtful that they'd want Jack due to his age and long contract.

~2. Their bad contracts begin with Emeka Okafor. Cats fans are familiar with the deal he signed so suffice to say, he's a guy they need to move. James Posey is their other "bad" contract as he is owed $15mil over the next two years.

~3. UPS is a guy that many people like. He has high upside and is on a fantastic deal. He'd have to be one of the "throw ins" they'd look for. They might also target DJ as he'd be a great backup to Collison and is a native of New Orleans. They might also target T2 for his talent and his expiring deal. Maybe they'd look to switch him for the aging David West?

~4. With other teams openly targeting CP3, they likely have better pieces to offer than we do. So we wouldn't be the favorite trade partner unless he demanded being sent to the Bobcats. Would he do that? I'm not sure. But it is probably of highest importance.




Taking everything into account. Our best potential deal would be as follows:

Tyson Chandler (12.75)
+ Nazr Mohammed (6.883)
+ Tyrus Thomas (6.256)
+ Whatever future picks we are able to offer

Chris Paul (14.94)
+ Emeka Okafor (11.54)



We'd be thin at the PG and PF slots, so we'd have to sign Torrance/Collins and whatever big men we can get our hands on.

CP3/Torrance
Jack/Henderson
Crash/UPS
Diaw/Lexy/Tyren
Emeka/Diop

That's 11 guys and sitting right about where we'd be if we made no trades, so we could certainly dip into the LT a little since we'd clearly have a contender. Add Flip/Hughes to the equation to shore up our backcourt. Sign Zombie or some other big man (Ogilvy? Zoubek?) and shore up our frontcourt. We'd be in the tax, but not by much. And we'd be a much better team, albeit with some serious long term contracts on board.

[Dcarnys]

Who in their right mind would want Okafor back in Charlotte?


If it meant getting Chris Paul. Plus I always liked Mek anyways.

[ammofan]

Mek>Tyson any day. And Im not a big Okafor fan.....I always wondered if we would be better this past season if we had Okafor for the whole year in their at center instead of the trio of Chandler/Theo/Nazr

[Toocool]

You don't need Jack.

Get a freaking clue. Trade him and get something you need. Okafor ain't it, either.



Who in their right mind would want Okafor back in Charlotte?



Anybody putting Diaw over Thomas in the depth chart needs to give up on basketball analysis.

Dude, chill man. Don't go all e-hating on everybody. It's okay to say I disagree then state reasons why. Don't go "get a freaking clue" or w.e. Chill on the personal attacks man, it's okay that your PMSing but don't take it out on others.

Okay, and to get it on topic. I would be thrilled with CP3. Anyone here would. We'll just have to see in the coming days. I would love for us to get CP3, would fill our stands to the brim I believe, but we'll just have to wait and see. Let's hope it falls through, and if it doesn't nothing lost, nothing gained.

[spectre]

4th page and no one's mentioned that this would be tampering to the nth scale?

Nice to dream though.

[SWedd523]

Wouldn't it only be tampering if he was a Free Agent? Why wouldn't we we able to have trade talks with New Orleans when other teams have done it?

[Plowright]

VERY VERY sneaky Swedd... lol good undercover work finding this out. Who knows if this is true... would be great if it was! I think it would all hinge on who NO wanted and we can keep speculating all we like but at the end of the day we dont really know what they want, they could be planning for melo in 2011 or something else u know. We just dont know

[Chef]

after reading all of these posts, i feel more hopeful that cp3 will be in Charlotte by 2013. as you guys know, this is who i feel is the most realistic super-duper star to play for us. i am not sure a trade this year will work though. the only way it works is if cp3 makes a non-public demand to play here and george shinn wants to make an apologetic gesture to the queen city.

even if paul wants to play here, (unless i am wrong) he can't demand where he is traded too. so, the hornets could just publicly/quietly shop him around the league and get much better offers than we could give. we could only realisticly give expirings and mediocre young talent. we don't have any draft picks unless we are talking far away future 1sts. i am not sure they even want jax, but he is our best current asset. so the whole thing would have to hinge on shinn's good will toward the city he screwed in accepting a lesser deal. if not, the conversation could have been built around acquiring melo next year in free agency and positioning assets to offer a better trade next year or 2012 free agency.

[ohara831]

Yeah, I think if he were a FA, then we would be bending the rules. But since he is not at this time, it is always possible NO gave consent to MJ to talk with CP3 to discuss whether we would be able to work out a long term Contract with him and then NO and Charlotte work out the trade. I think in other situations, there is often a 48 hour window given for the "purchasing" team to try and work out a deal for a long term Contract before any trade is made. Think of when the Phillies were trading for Roy Halliday in MLB. I think they had a couple days window to work out a long term agreement, which they did do. I dont know if this is the case in the NBA, just thinking aloud.

[SirBobcat]

Mek>Tyson any day. And Im not a big Okafor fan.....I always wondered if we would be better this past season if we had Okafor for the whole year in their at center instead of the trio of Chandler/Theo/Nazr

I am a big Okafor fan and I feel this is a good long term deal. Okafor's contract is a killer and i'm glad they found a way to get rid of it

[spectre]

Wouldn't it only be tampering if he was a Free Agent? Why wouldn't we we able to have trade talks with New Orleans when other teams have done it?

The guy's under contract with another team!

Lebron isn't a free agent yet...not until he opts out (which could come any day)...and a couple have gotten fined just for talking about him:

Cuban Fined $100,000, Kerr $10,000 for Violating NBA Rules on Tampering (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-05-22/cuban-fined-100-000-kerr-10-000-for-violating-nba-rules-on-tampering.html)


“For those of you who care about these things,” Cuban wrote. “NBA just fined me 100k for comments regarding another teams’ players.” All he did was comment about LBJ in a Q&A about whether he'd have interest in signing LBJ in July.

Also in that article Kerr got hit for a 10k fine just for joking that if LBJ would take an MLE deal he'd be happy to give it to him!

That's why there's rumblings that LBJ is involved in tampering right now...tho I doubt Stern would have the balls to push it.

It'd have to be with the express consent of George Shinn for Paul to talk to Jordan about coming to our team. Do you guys really think Shinn would do that?

Don't you figure it's more likely that they're discussing Jordan Brand Nike?

[ohara831]

You are probably right, Spectre. But with no Draft picks, and not much cap space, things are so boring for Bobcat fans that we have to find something interesting and hopeful to chat about. And with the financial position of the Hornets, yes, it is possible Shinn gave MJ consent to talk with Paul. Maybe he is looking for a quality player and expiring to send CP3 off. After all, it is not like they dont have a good PG to take his spot, and at a lot less $. Just trying to find something hopeful to make this summer entertaining since we are out of the running for any of the big FA's.

[spectre]

I doubt Shinn gave permission. There's an article out today that Shinn wouldn't even return Orlando's phone call after their pitch last week.

Heh...if you want a rumor, how about this one?

Hey isn't that...?: Michael Jordan (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/06/hey_isnt_that_michael_jordan.html)


Accompanied by a co-ed crew of five, including his brother James and superagent David Falk.List of Falk's clients:

Elton Brand
Mike Bibby
Jeff Green
Roy Hibbert
Juwan Howard
Toney Douglas
John Lucas

We're trading for Elton Brand! :p

[SCBobcat]

If others, such as William Wesley are behind these negotiations, then there is no tampering. That is how Wes does all that he does...he doesn't "work" for players or teams and thus is not bound by the terms of the CBA. Conversely, it is not a violation of the CBA to negotiate/talk with Wes. Wes and MJ are big buds from their Chicago days, so those lines of communication are always open.

[SWedd523]

It can most certainly be a meeting for Team Jordan, but I could see the discussion going something like, "Hey since we're here, what do you think about us trading for you to come to Charlotte?"

It's behind closed doors so it's not like anybody would know about it.

[teej]

It can most certainly be a meeting for Team Jordan, but I could see the discussion going something like, "Hey since we're here, what do you think about us trading for you to come to Charlotte?"

It's behind closed doors so it's not like anybody would know about it.

Probably the most likely scenario.

Perhaps CP is going into Kobe/MJ territory and getting his own line within Jordan Brand? Hell, maybe they're just looking at a new shoe.

But it's not the White House, so there's no evidence of what they said.

Just write me down as a skeptic. If those writers truly believed what they said they'd have written something down by nw.

Oh, and EC123. Chill the fuck out.

[spectre]

Could be I guess. I'm sure all sorts of things go on behind closed doors.

Tampering, as defined by Larry Coon:

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q94


Tampering is when a player or team directly or indirectly entices, induces or persuades anybody (player, general manager, etc.) who is under contract with another team to negotiate for their services. The NBA takes tampering very seriously and may impose stiff penalties if it is discovered, however the league will not investigate unless another team files tampering charges. Here are some examples:

One thing I didn't know is that another team has to file charges before the league will even look into it. You have to remember however; the one thing other owners brought up in regards to misgivings about Jordan owning a team would be his access for things like charity events and Team Jordan.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

ROFLMAO!!! Not happening.

[ND22]

roflmao!!! Not happening.

You gotta believe man!!

[teej]

Hey isn't that...?: Michael Jordan (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/reliable-source/2010/06/hey_isnt_that_michael_jordan.html)



He was being sworn into the National Guard with his bike racers.

http://www.nationalguard.com/news/2010/jun/29/michael-jordan-sworn-in?cid=fb100629

I didn't know his brother was in the military?

[Ghost Kat]

I solemnly pledge right now that if we can get CP3 I will name my next child Chris Paul Jr. Male or female....

[DY_nasty]

Mek>Tyson any day. And Im not a big Okafor fan.....I always wondered if we would be better this past season if we had Okafor for the whole year in their at center instead of the trio of Chandler/Theo/Nazr
Normally, I'd agree and say Mek>Tyson and let that be the end of it.

But after we lost 'one of the most solid low post defenders/rebouners in the league' and still managed to have one of the best defensive squads in the NBA while having Chandler sit out most of the season with a chaffing vagina... Yeah, he Okafor was trash too. We just didn't know it.

[Zoolander]

I solemnly pledge right now that if we can get CP3 I will name my next child Chris Paul Jr. Male or female....
That's one of the funniest things I've read in a long while!!

[Proudiddy]

I was watching NBA Shootaround last night for an uneventful midnight open to free agency, and a lot of it was the same crap they've been drudging over the last 6 months or so...

BUT, one interesting thing was they asked the 'insiders' - Broussard, Bucher, and Penn - if Chris Paul will be traded. I can't remember which one answered the question (I think it was Broussard), but he said Paul is a franchise player and despite New Orleans' financial situation they don't want to give him up. He said the story would be different if Paul demanded a trade, which he hadn't yet, although he did say Paul acknowledging that he would like to be moved elsewhere if they weren't building to compete for a title was telling, but it still wasn't 'demanding a trade.' If he demanded a trade it would be more likely, but until then he didn't see it happening was the basic premise...

That being said, looks like that is closer to happening, and with Worldwide Wes making power moves out of the spotlight... I don't know, I like how this is looking. The Shinn-Scheer connection. Wesley-Paul-MJ connection... It wouldn't be tampering... Paul is now sounding like he wants out - closer to demanding a trade. Muhahahahahahahhaha!!!

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67683/20100701/paul_may_want_trade_out_of_new_orleans/

[CatNation]

We don't have the pieces to even make a fair offer for Paul. To even try would mean giving up Wallace and most of our young talent. A gutted roster+Chris Paul and hey, same situation he is in now

[Proudiddy]

We don't have the pieces to even make a fair offer for Paul. To even try would mean giving up Wallace and most of our young talent. A gutted roster+Chris Paul and hey, same situation he is in now

I don't want to give up Gerald, but I don't see how them taking either Wallace and/or Jack, an expiring or two, and maybe 1 young talent (Hendo or UPS), plus a 1st rounder or two wouldn't be fair value?

I look at it like this... They have a great talent that has shown he can run the team just as well as CP3 as a rookie and he's only going to get better in Collison. On top of that, Shinn's trying to sell the team... What did BJ do when he started looking into selling the team - getting rid of the expenses - Okafor for example. I know CP only has another year or two on his contract and isn't that expensive, but he will be.

So they'd be shedding salary if they took back Chandler/Nazr and getting a talent like Gerald (who is underpaid if you ask me), plus 1st rounders to build with later. I don't want to give up Gerald, but I'm just saying it's possible.

[CatNation]

I don't want to give up Gerald, but I don't see how them taking either Wallace and/or Jack, an expiring or two, and maybe 1 young talent (Hendo or UPS), plus a 1st rounder or two wouldn't be fair value?

I look at it like this... They have a great talent that has shown he can run the team just as well as CP3 as a rookie and he's only going to get better in Collison. On top of that, Shinn's trying to sell the team... What did BJ do when he started looking into selling the team - getting rid of the expenses - Okafor for example. I know CP only has another year or two on his contract and isn't that expensive, but he will be.

So they'd be shedding salary if they took back Chandler/Nazr and getting a talent like Gerald (who is underpaid if you ask me), plus 1st rounders to build with later. I don't want to give up Gerald, but I'm just saying it's possible.

Okafor/Nazr/Chandler are expenses, Chris Paul is an asset. He makes you money. A new owner isn't gonna want the Hornets without Chris Paul I'd imagine.

[Chef]

Okafor/Nazr/Chandler are expenses, Chris Paul is an asset. He makes you money. A new owner isn't gonna want the Hornets without Chris Paul I'd imagine.

if this were true, NO wouldn't have the attendance problems they have. it's the city. not only is it ridiculously poor, there is plenty more to do other than basketball in the winter, katrina destroyed what little they had...people just don't care. the team should move or be contracted, but since that won't happen, they may have to trade paul to move other contracts to make the team even available for sellers.

[ammofan]

FROM CHAD FORD:
"The Blazers got close to a deal with the Hornets last week that would've sent Andre Miller, Joel Przybilla, Nicolas Batum, Jerryd Bayless and the 22nd pick to NO for Paul before Jeff Bower pulled out of the deal saying that their owner wasn't ready to trade Paul. The trade they made on draft night got them out of the luxury tax, so that's no longer the issue. The issue is whether Paul is no unhappy enough to force a trade. Personally I think the Hornets can do better than that for Paul, but it's a viable deal. As for Melo, I do think they'll explore moving him ... but not for the Eddy Curry Danilo Gallinari package people are writing about. "

[CatNation]

If they that desperate to save money theyll want at least 2 first round picks in any deal I'd imagine. And we don't have any first rounders available to trade until what 2045?

[Proudiddy]

Okafor/Nazr/Chandler are expenses, Chris Paul is an asset. He makes you money. A new owner isn't gonna want the Hornets without Chris Paul I'd imagine.

I get what you're saying, it's a good way to look at it business-wise. We all see Paul as an asset, but Chef did a better job of saying what I was trying to say... Paul IS an asset, just not in New Orleans. They're looking to cut costs and get the franchise 'out of the red' I guess you would say.

Additionally, if CP demands to be traded, there isn't much they can do, other than trade him. That's where Chandler/Nazr and picks come in, and if they were willing to take back the salaries from the Blazers, I assume taking on Gerald, Felton (after S&T), or Jack's contract wouldn't be a big deal either. Who knows? I'm just trying to be creative with it and keep the dream alive.

[Chef]

could we use ray (s & t) + tyson + nazr + future 1st rd (1st available to trade unprotected) + brown/hendo for cp3, mek, posey?

maybe a 3 team with ray going to the third team if NO doesn't want ray because of collison?

[teej]

could we use ray (s & t) + tyson + nazr + future 1st rd (1st available to trade unprotected) + brown/hendo for cp3, mek, posey?

maybe a 3 team with ray going to the third team if NO doesn't want ray because of collison?

I like it. Maybe a 3-team with the Mavs involving Dampier or the Knicks with D. Lee?

[Chef]

I like it. Maybe a 3-team with the Mavs involving Dampier or the Knicks with D. Lee?

i think if cp3 wants to play in his hometown and tells that to NO we have a chance. i am thinking the mavs end up with ray and a low salary guy from NO (darell arthur?), we get oak, posey, cp3 (going way over the cap), NO gets tons of cap space.

or do we try to add jax in the mix to not risk the cap so much? i am grasping at straws here.

[rsxnova]

This was close to landing CP3 last week.

Portland sends

Andre Miller
Joel Pryzbilla
Batum
Bayless
22nd Pick

NO sends

CP3
Okafor

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67701/20100701/portland_nearly_landed_paul_last_week/

[Chef]

so if we did sign and trade with NO only. a third team gives me a migrane and it looks like they might want ray considering the interest in miller.

posey, oak, cp3 = 30 mil

tyson, naz, ray (at 6.5 for 5 or maybe 7.5 for 4), our next available first, hendo and raja's trade exception = 30 mil

maybe they bite. we would be taking 2 bad contracts instead of 1 like the others.

[eleaf14]

The only way I see it happening is if he were to specifically ask (demand) to play here in his homestate.

Once the dust settles from Wade, Bosh, and James...the teams who struckout will all leak proposed offers for CP3 (and Melo if he hasnt already signed his extension). I am sure the offers will have more value than what we could offer.

We do have some nice expirings to help us get better, sooner than later. But after reading the link below... it sounds like this leftover cap space (from teams that strike out) could buy the Hornets more immediate relief vs. our expiring contracts.

Fords thoughts:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17470/teams-still-pursuing-cp3

[Weezy21]

Hornets point guard Chris Paul could become the NBA's biggest storyline once this summer's big free agents sign contracts.

Paul has said that he loves New Orleans, but he wants to see the team start to make improvements to their roster. He's impatient about contending for a title right now.

"(Paul's frustration) is very real, very real," a source close to Paul told FanHouse. "He doesn't see them putting a (championship-caliber) team together."


http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67787/20100703/pauls_frustrations_are_very_real/

I know this isn't anything really new, but it does show that paul is serious about wanting out...i just wish we had enough to get him

[Ghost Kat]

If we can get Chris Paul, I will get a painting made of him delivering Chris Paul Jr. I will put it over my fire place. It will be my most prized possession, other than Chris Paul Jr. that is.

Make this happen!!!!

[Weezy21]

"The Knicks believe they will have the cap space to sign possible free agents Carmelo Anthony in 2011 or Chris Paul in 2012.

New York's insistence on no more than two guaranteed years for point guard Raymond Felton has given them the cap-space flexibility to offer one maximum contract for 2011 and another one for 2012, Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The New Post on Saturday."

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68065/20100711/walsh_says_knicks_will_have_cap_space_for_carmelo_ paul/

"Chris Paul talking about teaming up with Melo ti battle the trio down south. Talkin a lot of ****. I love it."

http://twitter.com/realjaywilliams

With all this said, do you guys really think we stand a chance gettin cp3?? While I'm holding out hope that paul wants to return home to play, I just don't see it happening...hope im wrong

[CatNation]

I wouldn't stress about it too much its 2 years from now

[Chef]

hopefully all of the current stars see how badly this turned out for lbj. i think if he cares about his brand as much as he says, he hurt his brand and legacy badly. paul and melo on the other hand are not even in the same room legacy and brand wise as james, so who knows.

[Demon DeaCat]

"The Knicks believe they will have the cap space to sign possible free agents Carmelo Anthony in 2011 or Chris Paul in 2012.

New York's insistence on no more than two guaranteed years for point guard Raymond Felton has given them the cap-space flexibility to offer one maximum contract for 2011 and another one for 2012, Knicks president Donnie Walsh told The New Post on Saturday."

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68065/20100711/walsh_says_knicks_will_have_cap_space_for_carmelo_ paul/

"Chris Paul talking about teaming up with Melo ti battle the trio down south. Talkin a lot of ****. I love it."

http://twitter.com/realjaywilliams

With all this said, do you guys really think we stand a chance gettin cp3?? While I'm holding out hope that paul wants to return home to play, I just don't see it happening...hope im wrong

I used to think we had a chance at CP, but now I don't think so either. As a Wake guy and a W-S guy, I love CP and would love to see him with the cats. For folks from Winston, he's our Lebron. However, the truth is, CP loves the limelight. He wastes no opportunity to remind everyone that he's Lebron's friend and he's trying really hard to stay in that circle, as evidenced by the recent swith to Lebron's management company. I think it killed him to not be a part of this free agent mania and I think he'll gladly re-create that frenzy with him and Melo. I don't think his ego is any bigger than the next pro athlete's, but he's definitely got a sizeable one, and in the end, as much as he loves home (and he's been very generous to WS and Wake), I think the lure of the bright lights of NYC, the garden and Melo will ultimately be too much for him to turn down.

[Black]

Luther Head to the Hornets. The optimist in me thinks they are preparing for moving Paul, the realest in me just smacked the shit out of my inner optimist.

[Chef]

at this point, i would sell what little farm we have to get him for 2 years and then watch a 1 hr special in 2012 in which he announces he is taking his talents to the big apple.

[Fred Williamson]

Stop dreaming. Chris Paul will never be a Bobcat unless we become a championship contender in the next 2 years, which of course won't happen.

[Chef]

Stop dreaming. Chris Paul will never be a Bobcat unless we become a championship contender in the next 2 years, which of course won't happen.

it's not up to him for the next 2 years. so yes he can. stop destroying my dreams.

[CatNation]

btw to all the people saying Jordan Brand etc, remember that DJ himself is a Jordan athlete. It would make sense MJ wants to give DJ a chance to shine from a $ standpoint.