Hornets’ Paul draws interest as draft nears

[duncan228]

Hornets’ Paul draws interest as draft nears (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-paulhornets062110)
By Adrian Wojnarowski

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 will dramatically increase their chances of signing LeBron James, 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. First of all, Paul hasn’t requested a trade out of New Orleans, so the franchise isn’t under pressure to move him. He has two years and $31.3 million left on his contract until he can opt out before the 2012-13 season.

Privately, Paul has been displeased with Shinn’s constant cost-cutting measures, but has been optimistic about new ownership’s stated desire to spend more and try to compete in the powerful Western Conference. What’s more, Paul is loyal and values his connection to his Hornets teammates and the New Orleans community.

Bower hasn’t made calls offering Paul, sources said, nor do the Hornets plan to initiate conversations on him. New Orleans has received a steady stream of inquires on Paul, but Bower and Chouset have no interest in moving him. Still, rival executives believe Shinn’s willingness to rid payroll should the sales transaction continue to stall is his major motivator in even considering a possible trade of his franchise point guard.

James is close friends with Paul, and the Cavs star even flew to Winston-Salem, N.C., shortly after Cleveland’s Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Boston Celtics to attend a birthday party for Paul’s daughter. James was joined by his business manager, Maverick Carter, who has been trying to pilfer Paul from Octagon, which represents Paul. James’ marketing company, LRMR, has wanted Paul to invest in the business and become some kind of partner, sources said.

Why would World Wide Wes want to help broker a deal for Paul? Here are two reasons: First, James loves the prospect of playing with one of the best point guards in the NBA. Secondly, it would show Paul how Wesley could make things happen for him, and perhaps get him to leave Octagon for Wesley and Leon Rose at CAA.

The Memphis Grizzlies offered O.J. Mayo as part of a package for Paul recently, but talks went nowhere. League sources believe the New Jersey Nets are willing to part with the No. 3 pick and every player on their roster except for center Brook Lopez to obtain Paul. Also, the Portland Trail Blazers – who’ve long targeted Paul – are expected make a bid for Paul prior to the draft, a source said.

The San Antonio Spurs once had a chance to be frontrunners for Paul – if New Orleans ever felt compelled to make a trade – because they could offer an All-Star caliber point guard in Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the emergence of Darren Collison allows the Hornets to make a trade without taking back a point guard. Now, New Orleans could possibly improve itself at two positions – perhaps shooting guard and small forward – and get draft picks.

It’s hard to imagine the Hornets agreeing to move their franchise star for much, if anything, short of an All-Star, a starter and a high draft pick.

[duncan228]

Hornets’ Paul making slow recovery from injuries (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-hornets-paul)
By Mike Cranston

Coming off what he calls “the longest stretch of my career,” New Orleans guard Chris Paul is making slow progress in his rehabilitation from numerous injuries and is eager to play for new Hornets coach Monty Williams.

His summer plans, including playing for the United States in the world championships, remain far from certain.

Chatting briefly from a cart before playing in a celebrity golf tournament in his home state on Monday, Paul glanced a couple times at his surgically repaired left knee and said he’s still been unable to get on the floor because of injuries that kept him out of 37 games last season.

That would leave little time for the three-time All-Star to get ready to play for the U.S. in Turkey on Aug. 28-Sept. 12.

“I’m still getting there. I’m still doing rehab and stuff like that so I can get to 125 percent,” Paul said. “I’m excited about getting healthy. It’s like I’m starting over almost.”

Paul suffered a sprained left ankle in November, then underwent surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He sat out the final four games of the season with a torn ligament in his right middle finger.

Paul averaged 18.7 points and 10.7 assists in 45 games.

“It was really tough. Really tough dealing with the injuries, not making the playoffs,” Paul said. “This has definitely been the longest stretch of my career, easily.”

After going 37-45 last season, the Hornets gave the 38-year-old Williams his first coaching job earlier this month. He’ll be charged with trying to get New Orleans back in the playoffs after a two-year streak was snapped.

“Great guy. I’ve talked to Coach already,” Paul said. “He’s excited, I’m excited about him coming in. He’s a basketball junkie.”

Paul’s injuries and the Hornets’ struggles in getting newly acquired center Emeka Okafor integrated in the offense soured a season that saw coach Byron Scott fired.

“Mek was good for us. Mek’s a hard worker and different things like that,” Paul said. “It was our first year together, so there was a lot of stuff that didn’t always work out. But that’s what this year is for. Now we don’t have the excuse that it’s our first year working together.”

While Paul seemed intrigued by the NBA’s big free agency class and claiming “there’s definitely going to be some changes” this summer, he’ll be focused on getting completely healthy for the first time in about a year.

“It’s a day to day thing,” Paul said. “I’m just trying to realize that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. So as much as I want to get out there on the court, I have to hold myself back.”

[DPG21920]

NJ should offer Harris + 3rd pick + what ever else for CP3.

[redzero]

Keep dreaming, everybody.

[DPG21920]

As a Hornets fan, if you could get a steal for CP3, you would not want that? Collison has his short comings and is clearly no where near CP3, but if CP3 can net you a ton of pieces, you would not want that?

[redzero]

As a Hornets fan, if you could get a steal for CP3, you would not want that? Collison has his short comings and is clearly no where near CP3, but if CP3 can net you a ton of pieces, you would not want that?

A steal? At what position? The Hornets still have Okafor's contract, so they won't be going anywhere either way.

[DJ Mbenga]

the article basically said its a slim chance of happening. sure new jersey can offer the third pick harris but since they have collison already they would want somebody like lopez instead. he is already off limits. deal dead

[redzero]

the article basically said its a slim chance of happening. sure new jersey can offer the third pick harris but since they have collison already they would want somebody like lopez instead. he is already off limits. deal dead

If a deal had to happen, I'd definitely want Lopez. I wouldn't agree otherwise.

[DPG21920]

If netting Paul gets you Lebron, you do the deal. Which is one thing many people are inferring.

[monosylab1k]

How the fuck does World Wide Wes have this supposed power? He's basically an uneducated dickhead who managed to kiss enough ass that Allen Iverson let him suck off his teat. And he grew from there.

Seriously, fuck World Wide Wes.

[redzero]

How the fuck does World Wide Wes have this supposed power? He's basically an uneducated dickhead who managed to kiss enough ass that Allen Iverson let him suck off his teat. And he grew from there.

Seriously, fuck World Wide Wes.

Hey man, it takes expert knowledge to come to the conclusion that getting Chris Paul would make a team more attractive for LeBron.

[Veterinarian]

NJ should offer Harris + 3rd pick + what ever else for CP3.

One of the main points of the article directly above you, is that they don't want a point guard in return because they have Collison already.

[DPG21920]

It was just a package. Take Harris out, put what ever in.

[ducks]

knicks should offer lee and anyone on the roster

paul would attrack a fa like amare,james,wade to go there

[xtremesteven33]

Chris Paul and Lebron James on the same team?? Gotdamn....

[Ghazi]

Who the fuck would be interested in Chris Paul? Guy will give you 50 regular season games of empty ball dominating inflated stats, and shit the bed in the playoffs, be it getting shut down by dahntay jones, eviscerated by chauncy, or letting pargo take 13 4th quarter shots.

It was amazing that in the past few years CP3 was considered a top 5 player at various points, considering he isn't even a top 5 point guard. Rondo, Nash, Billups, Williams, Rose, Evans, Curry... list of superior players to CP3 is endless.

[redzero]

Who the fuck would be interested in Chris Paul? Guy will give you 50 regular season games of empty ball dominating inflated stats, and shit the bed in the playoffs, be it getting shut down by dahntay jones, eviscerated by chauncy, or letting pargo take 13 4th quarter shots.

It was amazing that in the past few years CP3 was considered a top 5 player at various points, considering he isn't even a top 5 point guard. Rondo, Nash, Billups, Williams, Rose, Evans, Curry... list of superior players to CP3 is endless.

Do you ever post anything else when it comes to Paul?

I have never seen somebody take a lost in the playoffs as badly as you.

That was more than two years ago--get over it.

[Findog]

How the fuck does World Wide Wes have this supposed power? He's basically an uneducated dickhead who managed to kiss enough ass that Allen Iverson let him suck off his teat. And he grew from there.

Seriously, fuck World Wide Wes.

He's like a ghetto version of Colonel Tom Parker.

[Findog]

If you're gonna pry Paul away from the Hornets, you're gonna have to throw in picks, lots of cash, a promising young player or two, and a willingness to take on the contracts of Peja, Posey, Okafor, etc. They've been proposing Paul to Dallas trade scenarios on the Mavs messageboards for months, and realistically it would cost Cuban somewhere around $110-120 million to get him.

[fevertrees]

Dirk and Lebron coming to New Orleans....you heard it here first!

[boston.balla]

this is just a sad thread.

[redzero]

I heard this story on Mike and Mike earlier.

Rumors rumors rumors.

[Hornets1]

LOL Ghazi the Terrorist who plays w/ pokemon

This thread is a Fail

[Pelicans78]

I would wait till after the lockout to decide on whether or not to trade CP3 or anyone else. The new CBA may have an amnesty clause allowing us to release Okafor just like the previous CBA where Dallas released Finely out of his contract.

[rascal]

NJ should offer Harris + 3rd pick + what ever else for CP3.

The article says the Nets are willing to trade the #3 and every player on their roster except for Lopez. :lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

Hornets’ Paul draws interest as draft nears (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-paulhornets062110)
By Adrian Wojnarowski

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 will dramatically increase their chances of signing LeBron James, 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. First of all, Paul hasn’t requested a trade out of New Orleans, so the franchise isn’t under pressure to move him. He has two years and $31.3 million left on his contract until he can opt out before the 2012-13 season.

Privately, Paul has been displeased with Shinn’s constant cost-cutting measures, but has been optimistic about new ownership’s stated desire to spend more and try to compete in the powerful Western Conference. What’s more, Paul is loyal and values his connection to his Hornets teammates and the New Orleans community.

Bower hasn’t made calls offering Paul, sources said, nor do the Hornets plan to initiate conversations on him. New Orleans has received a steady stream of inquires on Paul, but Bower and Chouset have no interest in moving him. Still, rival executives believe Shinn’s willingness to rid payroll should the sales transaction continue to stall is his major motivator in even considering a possible trade of his franchise point guard.

James is close friends with Paul, and the Cavs star even flew to Winston-Salem, N.C., shortly after Cleveland’s Eastern Conference semifinals loss to the Boston Celtics to attend a birthday party for Paul’s daughter. James was joined by his business manager, Maverick Carter, who has been trying to pilfer Paul from Octagon, which represents Paul. James’ marketing company, LRMR, has wanted Paul to invest in the business and become some kind of partner, sources said.

Why would World Wide Wes want to help broker a deal for Paul? Here are two reasons: First, James loves the prospect of playing with one of the best point guards in the NBA. Secondly, it would show Paul how Wesley could make things happen for him, and perhaps get him to leave Octagon for Wesley and Leon Rose at CAA.

The Memphis Grizzlies offered O.J. Mayo as part of a package for Paul recently, but talks went nowhere. League sources believe the New Jersey Nets are willing to part with the No. 3 pick and every player on their roster except for center Brook Lopez to obtain Paul. Also, the Portland Trail Blazers – who’ve long targeted Paul – are expected make a bid for Paul prior to the draft, a source said.

The San Antonio Spurs once had a chance to be frontrunners for Paul – if New Orleans ever felt compelled to make a trade – because they could offer an All-Star caliber point guard in Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the emergence of Darren Collison allows the Hornets to make a trade without taking back a point guard. Now, New Orleans could possibly improve itself at two positions – perhaps shooting guard and small forward – and get draft picks.

It’s hard to imagine the Hornets agreeing to move their franchise star for much, if anything, short of an All-Star, a starter and a high draft pick.
shucks...too bad that didn't work out cause we could've had him a year later for Farmar and Brown:toast

[duncan228]

Quote of the day, how conflicting rumors get started (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/)
By Kurt Helin

"Right now Wes is talking out of six sides of his mouth."

--One anonymous general manager, about what CAA employee and LeBron insider William Wesley is doing right now on the LeBron James and Chris Paul rumors (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/wojnarowski-worldwide-wes-trying-to-sell-lebron-cp3-as-package-deal.php) (as tweeted by Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (http://twitter.com/PDcavsinsider/status/16782327641)).

[duncan228]

Chris Paul May Be the Unforseen Catalyst This Summer (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/chris-paul-may-be-the-unforseen-catalyst-this-summer/)
By Matt Moore

*********************

Magic Come Knocking for Chris Paul (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/magic-come-knocking-for-chris-paul/)
By Sam Amick

[duncan228]

Orlando's Interest in Chris Paul Involves Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/orlandos-interest-in-chris-paul-involves-vince-carter-jameer-n/)
By Tim Povtak

The Orlando Magic's preliminary inquiry into the availability of point guard Chris Paul involved a discussion that included a trade of both starting guards Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson to New Orleans.

The Magic, as part of the early discussion, would receive both Paul and small forward James Posey, according to a second NBA source that confirmed the original FanHouse story by Sam Amick (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/magic-come-knocking-for-chris-paul/) involving the two teams.

Although Paul clearly is the best player in the talks, the Hornets are interested in reducing future salary obligations. The team is in the midst of an ownership sale/transfer that has been stalled by the debt obligations that the new owner would incur.

Paul has three years remaining on his contract worth $49 million. The final year, at $17.7 million, is a player's option.

Although Carter is past his prime, he is attractive because he has only one year remaining on his contract, worth $17.7 million. It would allow the Hornets to drop below the salary cap next summer. Nelson, an All-Star point guard two seasons ago, has three years remaining at $6.7, $7.3 and $7.8 million, making less than half of Paul's salary.

The inclusion of Posey, who is scheduled to make $6.4 and $6.9 million, would make the deal work under salary cap rules and give the Magic a starting small forward to replace Matt Barnes, who is expected to leave as a free agent this summer.

The Magic, who lost in the NBA Finals two years ago and this season in the conference final to the Boston Celtics, are looking to upgrade the roster surrounding franchise center Dwight Howard.

The Magic are just one of several teams that have inquired into Paul's availability, according to league sources. Paul would be considered a significant upgrade over Nelson.

Paul averaged 19.4 points and 9.9 assists in his first four seasons in the league. Last season, though, he missed the final 37 games with knee and ankle problems, averaging 18.7 points. He is expected to be 100 percent by the start of next season.

One reason the Hornets would be willing to entertain the thought of parting with Paul was the rapid growth of Darren Collison, who was a huge surprise as a rookie last season.

In his 36 starts -- after Paul left for the season -- Collison averaged 18.6 points and 9.1 assists. Combined with Nelson, the two could provide an adequate replacement for Paul at half the cost.

The Magic, meanwhile, would be taking on more future financial obligations, but they have expressed a willingness to delve into the luxury tax territory in their quest to win a championship. Their incoming revenue stream is expected to increase significantly next season when they move into a new downtown arena.

They also were disappointed this spring in the performance of Carter, who struggled in the conference final against the Celtics, failing to provide the offensive leadership the Magic expected.

[Pelicans78]

Why trade for another PG? We already have Collison.

[duncan228]

Updated.

Hornets new coach doesn’t want Paul traded (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-hornets-paul)
By Brett Martel

Monty Williams would rather not contemplate making his NBA head coaching debut without Chris Paul.

So with trade talks intensifying as they often do in the final days before the NBA draft, Williams made it clear on Tuesday that he expects his new employers to turn down whatever offers they get for their biggest star.

“Chris was the main thing that excited me about this job,” Williams said after a pre-draft workout Tuesday at the Hornets’ suburban training center. “So many people are begging for a point guard. You’re talking about the best one in the game. I couldn’t envision being here without Chris.”

The Hornets have the 11th overall pick in Thursday night’s draft and likely could move up if they decided to deal their three-time All-Star.

Meanwhile, those teams which plan to pursue LeBron James in free agency might enhance their chances of success by trading for Paul.

Paul and James are close friends who spend a lot of time together in the offseason and were teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Beijing.

When James premiered his documentary, “More Than A Game,” in Akron, Ohio, last year, Paul was on hand to help promote it.

Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said he has received many calls about possible trades but declined to specify which teams, or how many, inquired about Paul.

“I’m not going to comment on rumors, regardless of confirming them or denying them or saying how believable or unbelievable they are because it’s something that’s going to be there all throughout the free-agent process,” Bower said. “We have a duty to listen and have dialogue with teams about all of our players … and our job is to be aware of the interest in every player in this league, not only other (teams’) players, but our own.”

The Hornets’ uncertain ownership situation could be playing a role in other clubs’ pursuit of Paul as well.

When Hornets owner George Shinn reached an agreement in early May to sell his shares to minority partner Gary Chouest, it appeared that the franchise would be on stronger financial footing.

Now the sale of the team to Chouest is on hold. Team president Hugh Weber said recently that uncertainty caused by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has contributed to delays in the transaction because Chouest and many of his business partners work in the oil industry. Chouest owns a company that designs, builds and operates supply vessels for companies operating offshore oil platforms in the Gulf and around the world.

With the Hornets’ ownership situation in flux, other clubs are reaching out to test Shinn’s interest in being relieved of his financial obligation to Paul, who is entering the second year of a four-year contract worth about $68 million.

Yet, if the Hornets traded Paul, they would risk alienating not just their new coach but also their fans. Paul is not only their most popular player for his showmanship on the court but also for the way he has embraced his community service role during New Orleans’ recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

While Bower stopped short of guaranteeing that Paul would be in a Hornets uniform when the 2010-11 season opened, he added, “I can guarantee that we are very much aware of Chris’ abilities, skills, talents and what he provides to our community and what he provides to our basketball team—and we don’t take that lightly.”

[crc21209]

Orlando's Interest in Chris Paul Involves Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/orlandos-interest-in-chris-paul-involves-vince-carter-jameer-n/)
By Tim Povtak

The Orlando Magic's preliminary inquiry into the availability of point guard Chris Paul involved a discussion that included a trade of both starting guards Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson to New Orleans.

The Magic, as part of the early discussion, would receive both Paul and small forward James Posey, according to a second NBA source that confirmed the original FanHouse story by Sam Amick (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/magic-come-knocking-for-chris-paul/) involving the two teams.

Although Paul clearly is the best player in the talks, the Hornets are interested in reducing future salary obligations. The team is in the midst of an ownership sale/transfer that has been stalled by the debt obligations that the new owner would incur.

Paul has three years remaining on his contract worth $49 million. The final year, at $17.7 million, is a player's option.

Although Carter is past his prime, he is attractive because he has only one year remaining on his contract, worth $17.7 million. It would allow the Hornets to drop below the salary cap next summer. Nelson, an All-Star point guard two seasons ago, has three years remaining at $6.7, $7.3 and $7.8 million, making less than half of Paul's salary.

The inclusion of Posey, who is scheduled to make $6.4 and $6.9 million, would make the deal work under salary cap rules and give the Magic a starting small forward to replace Matt Barnes, who is expected to leave as a free agent this summer.

The Magic, who lost in the NBA Finals two years ago and this season in the conference final to the Boston Celtics, are looking to upgrade the roster surrounding franchise center Dwight Howard.

The Magic are just one of several teams that have inquired into Paul's availability, according to league sources. Paul would be considered a significant upgrade over Nelson.

Paul averaged 19.4 points and 9.9 assists in his first four seasons in the league. Last season, though, he missed the final 37 games with knee and ankle problems, averaging 18.7 points. He is expected to be 100 percent by the start of next season.

One reason the Hornets would be willing to entertain the thought of parting with Paul was the rapid growth of Darren Collison, who was a huge surprise as a rookie last season.

In his 36 starts -- after Paul left for the season -- Collison averaged 18.6 points and 9.1 assists. Combined with Nelson, the two could provide an adequate replacement for Paul at half the cost.

The Magic, meanwhile, would be taking on more future financial obligations, but they have expressed a willingness to delve into the luxury tax territory in their quest to win a championship. Their incoming revenue stream is expected to increase significantly next season when they move into a new downtown arena.

They also were disappointed this spring in the performance of Carter, who struggled in the conference final against the Celtics, failing to provide the offensive leadership the Magic expected.

The Magic would upgrade big time if they could get Paul and Posey for VC and Jameer. :tu.

[duncan228]

If anyone wants to know the William Wesley story.

William Wesley in the spotlight (http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16874/william-wesley-in-the-spotlight)
By Henry Abbott

[duncan228]

Magic GM Denies Asking Hornets About Paul (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-magicgmdeniesaskingh)
SportingNews

Magic general manager Otis Smith today denied reports saying he had inquired about the availability of Hornets point guard Chris Paul.

Smith said "Nope" when asked by the Orlando Sentinel via telephone (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_magic/2010/06/otis-smith-magic-didnt-inquire-about-chris-paul.html) if he had asked New Orleans about Paul.

AOL FanHouse’s Tim Povtak, a former Magic beat writer for the Sentinel, reported earlier in the day (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/orlandos-interest-in-chris-paul-involves-vince-carter-jameer-n/) that the Magic offered guards Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter for Paul and forward James Posey during preliminary talks.

FanHouse’s Sam Amick reported Tuesday morning that the Magic were among teams expressing interest in Paul (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/22/magic-come-knocking-for-chris-paul/). New Orleans executives have said Paul isn’t available.

Smith also told the Sentinel that he’s not close to making any trades, and that he plans to hold onto the 29th overall pick in Thursday’s draft.

[fevertrees]

Hornets already dealt a champion guard this season by shipping off DOWNTOWN Devin Brown....