Update: Hornets in serious negotations with Celtics, Warriors and Clippers for Chris Paul

[Dash]

There is rising sentiment within the New Orleans Hornets' organization to trade Chris Paul before the 2011-12 season even starts if he hasn't signed an extension with the team by then, according to sources close to the situation.

 

Sources told ESPN.com that Paul and Hornets general manager Dell Demps did have their expected sitdown at the team's practice facility Monday and that the tone of the meeting was amicable. But Paul, sources said, did not tell the Hornets that he is prepared to sign an extension before the regular season opens Christmas Day, which only increases the likelihood that the Hornets deal the star guard this month.

 

That, of course, is contingent upon finding a palatable deal, but sources that the Hornets are determined to avoid the circus that swirled around the Denver Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony's standoff with the Nuggets went from September until February's trade deadline before Denver finally completed an extend-and-trade deal with the New York Knicks.

 

It has long been assumed around the league that keeping Paul made the league-owned Hornets more attractive to prospective buyers, but sources told ESPN.com on Monday that the Hornets believe that they will be more appealing to potential suitors if they can stabilize the organization by bringing a resolution to the Paul saga as soon as possible.

 

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks have shown the most interest in trading for Paul, according to sources briefed on the talks. One source told ESPN.com that virtually every team in the league has called, including the Los Angeles Lakers, but the source echoed a Yahoo! Sports report from earlier Monday that the Hornets and Lakers have yet to seriously discuss specifics.

 

The Clippers and Warriors, sources say, are the Hornets' preferred trade partners, but both California teams have hesitations because they want to be sure that Paul is committed to stay before surrendering some of the prized assets that New Orleans is chasing.

 

One source close to the process told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne that the Clippers have informed New Orleans that young guard Eric Gordon will not be included in any deal because Paul hasn't given L.A. any assurances that he's willing to sign with the Clippers for the long-term.

 

The Hornets also have strong interest in Lakers center Andrew Bynum, but the Lakers lack the additional young players and draft picks to sweeten a deal. The Clippers, however, possess players such as restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and an unprotected 2012 first-round pick from Minnesota. It is also widely presumed that the Lakers prefer to include Bynum in the trade offer they're expected to extend to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard.

There is also a small handful of teams that has informed the Hornets they are prepared to trade for Paul with no assurance that they can keep him beyond this season. That list, sources say, includes the Rockets, Boston Celtics and defending champion Dallas Mavericks.

 

Each of those teams would be gambling that Paul would be won over by his new surroundings and either elect to play out the final season of his current contract (valued at $17.8 million in 2012-13) or opt out of his contract on July 1, 2012, and sign a new deal. Paul's 2011-12 salary is listed at $16.4 million.

 

Boston would appear to have the most to offer in such a scenario if the Celtics are willing to include point guard Rajon Rondo, but sources say that the Hornets are convinced that they can receive more from any of the so-called gambling teams than from the Knicks, who are widely regarded as Paul's No. 1 preferred destination.

 

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7320941/chris-paul-new-orleans-hornets-traded-season-sources-say

 

No surprise that the Rockets are willing to give up their load of assets for Paul even without an extension, they were willing to do the same for Carmelo and Deron Williams last season after all. However, they'll probably come up short like they did with Deron.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Dash

[Real Deal]

GREAT.

 

I have to redo the Hornets banner.

[Dash]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski

New Orleans strongly engaged with Clippers, Warriors and Celtics in trade talks for Chris Paul on Tuesday, league sources tell Y!

 

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski

Paul has indicated Clippers and Warriors could raise chances of keeping him long-term if they sign center Tyson Chandler too, sources say.

Edited December 6, 2011 by Dash

[Dash]

Too much important info from Woj's new piece so I'll split them into bits.

 

Three teams in pursuit of Paul believe the Hornets will push for final offers – and make a decision – by the start of training camp on Friday, front-office sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Clippers’ and Warriors’ packages are the most intriguing to New Orleans general manager Dell Demps, league sources said.

 

Paul to Lakers sounding unlikely.

 

So far, talks between the Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers have gathered little, if any, traction, sources said. The Boston Celtics remain aggressive in their pursuit of Paul and held discussions with New Orleans on Tuesday.

 

On the Clippers:

 

The Hornets were significantly engaged in talks with the Clippers in talks on Tuesday, but the Clippers have shown no desire to meet Chandler’s request for a contract starting at more than $12 million a year, sources said. The Clippers are worried about an ability to pay significant money to Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, Paul and Chandler over the long-term.

 

The Clippers would have to include 23-year-old restricted free-agent center DeAndre Jordan in a package to get Paul, along with forward Al-Farouq Aminu, guard Eric Bledsoe and the 2012 first-round pick they acquired the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 

The Clippers are more attractive to Paul than the Warriors or Boston Celtics, because of the chance to be paired with Griffin and Gordon. Golden State has been aggressive in its pursuit of Chandler independent of Paul, but the Warriors don’t have as appealing of a supporting cast for Paul.

 

What the Warriors are offering:

 

The Warriors’ offer for Paul is centered around Stephen Curry and rookie guard Klay Thompson.

 

The Celtics offer:

 

As constituted, the Hornets prefer the Clippers and Warriors packages, but were still discussing several scenarios with the Celtics – including third-team trade possibilities and sign-and-trade money for restricted free agent forward Jeff Green. The Hornets prefer Curry to Rajon Rondo, sources said, but a third team could sweeten the Celtics package beyond the core of Rondo and Green.

 

Rockets and Mavericks still in the mix.

 

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks also have aggressively pursued Paul. Dallas remains a long shot in the talks, but has been canvassing other teams for players that would interest in the Hornets.

 

The Rockets would offer some combination of Kevin Martin, Kyle Lowery, Luis Scola, Patrick Paterson and draft picks. The Clippers are intriguing to the Hornets because of the possibility of emerging young Jordan, who would likely receive a $45 million-$50 million, five-year contract in a sign-and-trade deal.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqLPGbnrbFLTTGAq5Bo1stO8vLYF?slug=aw-wojnarowski_chris_paul_hornets_offers_nba_120611

Edited December 6, 2011 by Dash

[Dash]

Personally I think Chris Paul will end up in Boston, Clippers reluctance to include Eric Gordon in deal may cause them to come up a tad short (although granted they appear to be the front-runners for now) and I can't picture Paul resigning with Golden State (both teams want him to sign an extension by the way while Boston does not). Also an underrated but very valuable asset Celtics own in bid for Chris Paul is Clippers' 2012 first round pick (only top 10 protected).

Edited December 7, 2011 by Dash

[Dash]

Sam Amick is reporting Ekpe Udoh is also in Warriors' pitch for Paul.

 

According to sources, Golden State is offering Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Ekpe Udoh. The team would also amnesty Andris Biedrins in order to create cap space to reunite Paul with Tyson Chandler.

 

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/217066/Warriors_Offering_Curry_Thompson_Udoh_For_Paul#ixzz1foRK8qsb

[Dash]

stevekylerNBA Steve Kyler

Warriors offer for Chris Paul said to be favored by New Orleans... Warriors would make a deal without a contract guarantee from Paul.

 

HUGE if true, would make the Warriors the instant favorites.

[NomarFachix]

Biedrins amnesty would be my favorite part, Knicks would probably try to jump all over that

[Newman]

Curry, Thompson and Udoh? That is a sweet offer. IMO the best offer so far for the Hornets.

[Real Deal]

New Orleans needs to take that Golden State offer. What if David West decided to re-sign? Will they end up keeping Landry? I mean, the Hornets wouldn't be in THAT bad of shape, doing that trade. They weren't that great last season, despite having CP3, Ariza, Landry and Okafor.

[Check my Stats]

Getting either Curry, Udoh and Thompson, or Wolves pick+Aminu+Jordan are both equally good offers... can't really go wrong either way, especially if you are dumping a contract along the way. I don't see anyone offering more.

 

Still don't see Paul dealt for a while, no sense in rushing this thing if you are New Orleans.

[Legacy]

We're so close to getting Paul, omggggg.

 

I would love for the guarantee re-signing though. I'm a little skeptical about that and whether he will actually stay with Golden State. A duo of Paul and Monta will be sick, but the defense will be probably just as bad as a Curry/Ellis backcourt. Once we sign Chandler, I think it should be a done deal with Paul in Oakland.

[AboveLegit]

Brilliant idea by the Warriors by deciding to rethink the idea of a one year rental with CP3. If New Orleans is unable to find a better offer than Monta/Klay, they will eventually take the deal. Golden State then would have successfully dumped Monta's contract, which would free up a lot of cap space in 2012. Who knows, maybe they can make a run at Dwight Howard to convince CP3.

 

In hindsight, a Curry/CP3 backcourt won't work because it is too small and they would have no one but shooters. That's an valuable skillset Monta possesses, But Curry is also a more efficient scorer than Ellis, better rebounder, and just a slightly worse defender for a 2 guard. Despite the issues that backcourt may create now, Golden State is clearly looking at the future, and Curry has more trade value than Ellis.

[Dash]

Looks like there might be a snag in negotiations.

 

@ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein

CP3 Update: Source close to process tells ESPN that NOR talks w/GSW "definitely cooling" because of GSW refusal to put Steph Curry in deal

 

gswscribe Marcus Thompson

Source told me Warriors would take CP3 as a rental - if New Orleans takes Monta instead of Curry - j.mp/rWz1Vo

 

KBergCBS Ken Berger

Can confirm @ESPNSteinLine tidbit on NOR-GSW talks hitting snag bc Warriors don't want to include Steph Curry.

 

Warriors want a guarantee from Paul if they're going to include Curry in the deal.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Dash

[Dash]

We already knew Gordon wasn't in the Clippers' lastest proposal but management providing assurance to him could mean that they have no intention of ever dealing him unless they go back on their word.

 

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski

Clippers management has assured Eric Gordon that he will not be included in any trade package for Chris Paul, league source tells Y!

 

Good move on the Clippers' part, they're going to be fine regardless of what happens in the Dwight or Chris Paul sagas. If Curry isn't in the Warriors offer then the Clippers have the best package for Paul.

[Dash]

Celtics are still pushing for Paul.

 

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski

Boston's delivered New Orleans multiple 3-team trade scenarios for CP3, trying to find something acceptable to Hornets, sources tell Y!

[Dash]

Not much of a surprise but...

 

daldridgetnt David Aldridge

Chris Paul still won't give extension commitment 2 LAC, GSW. Not personal--it's business. Story w/explainers up soon on NBA.com

[Newman]

So Boston it is.

[Dash]

Big update from David Aldridge, like before I'll cut this into pieces.

 

Like Deron Williams, Chris Paul won't sign an extension but its because he wants the contract that comes with it: a fat $102 million contract for 5 years.

 

Paul is essentially making the same decision that Nets guard Deron Williams made last week in deciding not to sign an extension with New Jersey and becoming a free agent next summer. But while Williams could still re-sign in New Jersey, very few people around the league think there's any chance Paul will stay in New Orleans after this season, which is hastening the Hornets' desire to move Paul before the start of the season. Training camps are scheduled to open Friday, after the National Basketball Players Association and the NBA's Board of Governors each complete ratification votes on the new CBA Thursday.

 

Paul is getting paid $16.359 million this season, and has a player option for next season at $17.779 million. If he were to agree to an extension on the existing contract, he would play for the $17.779 million next season, and then be eligible for a two-year extension in 2013 for $19.112 million and $20.446 million, for a total package of $74 million through the 2014-15 season. If, however, he opts out and becomes a free agent, he'd be able to sign a five-year deal with his incumbent team worth $102 million.

 

However, the Clippers and Warriors aren't comfortable with this and its put a snag in negotiations.

 

Both teams understand Paul's position, but don't feel comfortable moving forward with no assurances he would stay with them after this season.

 

Just how uncomfortable are the Clippers? They won't include Eric Gordon BUT here's the kicker: the Timberwolves unprotected first round pick may be off the table.

 

The Clippers, for example, are very reluctant to include the unprotected first-round pick from Minnesota they currently own in any deal with New Orleans -- which is understandably holding out for the maximum amount possible in exchange for its franchise player -- under the current scenario.

 

Since the two "frontrunners" for Chris Paul are reluctant to give up key assets, this may cause the return value the Hornets were hoping to get to drop significantly.

 

A source indicated Wednesday it would be up to the Hornets to lower their demands for Paul to make the deal happen. New Orleans wants a combination of young players and Draft picks for Paul. But the Clippers' package still does not include guard Eric Gordon, the player the Hornets are believed to covet most off of L.A.'s roster.

 

Also it doesn't seem like the Hornets are in love with one particular player in the Clippers' package.

 

Another source indicated Wednesday night that New Orleans wasn't interested in the Clippers' second-year forward, Al-Farouq Aminu, as part of the package, either. Aminu would be more expendible if the Clippers sign Mavericks free agent small forward Caron Butler, who visited them Monday night, or Detroit's Tayshaun Prince. Butler was in New Jersey Wednesday night visiting with the Nets, after very positive meetings earlier in the week with the Bulls and Spurs.

 

Still no Curry in the Warriors' offer yet.

 

The Warriors have indicated they will not put their young star guard, Stephen Curry, in a trade package, though league sources are divided as to whether that's a permanent decision or one just based on Paul's current stance.

 

Knicks still the only team Paul would resign with, which contradicts the earlier report by Sam Amick that he would consider resigning with the Lakers.

 

Paul has only reportedly told the Knicks -- who most believe don't have enough assets to make an acceptable offer to New Orleans -- that he is willing to sign an extension after this season. While there are some teams around the league that would be willing to take the gamble that they were only renting Paul's services for a year, the Clippers and Warriors are not among them.

 

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/12/07/chris-paul-extension/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

[AboveLegit]

See this is where Danny Ainge can work his magic, he's not attached to any player on his roster, he has the Clippers 2012 first, and if the Hornets keep getting low balled, they may be inclined to just accept Boston's offer. New Orleans clearly wants to deal CP3 before the season, trade talks need to start heating up within the next week or so.

[Dash]

See this is where Danny Ainge can work his magic, he's not attached to any player on his roster, he has the Clippers 2012 first, and if the Hornets keep getting low balled, they may be inclined to just accept Boston's offer. New Orleans clearly wants to deal CP3 before the season, trade talks need to start heating up within the next week or so.

 

Yeah this is why I had Paul going to Boston even with the Clippers/Warriors clearly leading the race, knew Paul's reluctance to sign an extension was eventually going come into to play.

 

Rondo + Clippers first + future Celtics first (could be valuable if Paul doesn't resign) + Jeff Green could be the best the Hornets can get if the both GS and LAC continue to hesitate.

[Legacy]

Smart move by the Warriors. I would hate to see Paul walk away and not have Curry as well. I want a guarantee before we actually trade Curry.

 

At the same time, I feel like Golden State needs to make a big move for once. I would love to be risky, but we have to play this smart.

[Dash]

As the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors appear unwilling to include their young stars in a trade for Chris Paul, the New Orleans Hornets were redoubling their research of Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo as a possible centerpiece of a blockbuster deal, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics have relentlessly pursued Paul and have presented the Hornets with as many as eight different scenarios that would bring them some combination of Rondo, Jeff Green, two future No. 1 picks and additional talent from third teams, sources said.

 

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers believe they can sell Paul on re-signing with Boston for the long-term and desperately want him as the franchise star of their post-Big 3 era.

 

“Danny is a risk-taker,” one league official involved in the talks said. “He’s willing to gamble on Paul, because he believes you win championships with stars, and he’s going to get another one to rebuild his team around.”

 

The Hornets had been hopeful they could choose between Clippers and Warriors packages that included Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry, respectively, but New Orleans GM Dell Demps has been told those players are off limits. This has brought the Hornets back to Rondo and the Celtics’ offer, which, as currently constituted, could be the most attractive to the Hornets.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers are intriguing to Paul, who has ultimately championed a free-agent deal with the New York Knicks. Nevertheless, Ainge and Rivers believe they can convince Paul to stay with the Celtics beyond this season. That’s why Ainge has been so relentless on the phones, trying to secure the players beyond Rondo and Green that New Orleans would want for Paul.

 

The Celtics had discussions with the Indiana Pacers about the framework of a deal that could’ve sent Paul to the Celtics, Rondo to Indiana and a package, including former Hornet Darren Collison, Tyler Hansbrough, Brandon Rush and draft picks, to New Orleans, sources said.

 

New Orleans would have keener interest in small forwards Danny Granger or Paul George, but Pacers president Larry Bird has declared those players “untouchable” in trade talks, sources said.

Boston has gone to multiple teams in recent days trying to assemble a deal, but ultimately needs direction from the Hornets about what specific trades appeal to them. “New Orleans just won’t commit to a package,” one league source said. In the meantime, Boston has tried to juggle the potential involvement of third teams while the Hornets continue to deliberate their potential deals.

 

The background calls on Rondo cover the usual territory with him: his relationship with coaches, teammates and stubborn disposition, sources said. The Hornets hadn’t had the most favorable impression of Rondo, clearly preferring packages with Curry and Gordon over him. As the Hornets realize teams are growing more hesitant to give up assets out of fear Paul will be simply a four-month rental, they’ve come to realize that Boston’s offer could be the best on the table.

 

It appears unlikely the Clippers and Warriors will change course on including Gordon and Curry in a deal. In fact, Clippers management reached out to Gordon in recent days with a personal assurance that he wouldn’t be included in any trade packages to New Orleans, a league source told Y! Sports.

 

The Hornets have only six players under contract, and had hoped they could find a trade for Paul – who has told them he will leave as a free agent after the season – before the start of Friday’s training camp. That scenario looks less likely, because, as one executive in the talks said Thursday, “They’re bringing in more teams, more scenarios, when we thought they wanted to narrow it down.”

The Lakers are still lurking for Paul, sources said. A possible deal with the Lakers would likely focus on Andrew Bynum. Paul and Kobe Bryant have talked by phone in the past week, sources said.

 

Golden State is willing to offer guard Monta Ellis and young forward Ekpe Udoh as part of a package for Paul, but the talks are unlikely to progress if the Warriors continue to refuse to part with Curry. Golden State’s new owners are fond of Curry, see him as a future face of the franchise and the prospects of moving forward without Curry or Paul after a 66-game regular season is too frightening for the franchise to face.

 

The Warriors are still courting free agent Tyson Chandler, and appear to be finalists with the New Jersey Nets for the center. No one will count out the Dallas Mavericks from making a late push to retain Chandler, but Paul has indicated the addition of Chandler to the Warriors’ or the Clippers’ roster could play a part in Paul deciding to stay with either of those teams beyond this season.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Av0BJr8jMseQJYrZBPzFGOC8vLYF?slug=aw-wojnarowski_chris_paul_hornets_trade_offers_nba_120811

 

Worth noting that this might not be over by training camps as Hornets had hoped.

Edited December 8, 2011 by Dash

[Dash]

sam_amick Sam Amick

League sources say the Houston has been trying to put together a three-team deal with the Lakers and New Orleans in which Paul goes to LA.

 

The hell? What would Houston get out of this?

Edited December 8, 2011 by Dash

[Newman]

^My guess is Carl Landry.