Chris Paul to Orlando?

[Hotstove907]

Man i'd have nightmares of alley- oops for years.

[MitchellUK]

In a vacuum, it doesn't. If it's in conjunction with other planned moves, then it may make perfect sense.

but paul is worth more than nelson and carter in any case

I was talking simply about the prospect of NO receiving a point guard back making sense if they had other deals lined up.

However, "worth" is relative. It depends on the Hornets' motivation for doing any particular deal. If it was a straight-up, talent for talent trade, then you are absolutely right that Paul is worth more than Nelson/Carter. If they were looking to save themselves some money, then the quality of the players coming back from any team they trade with becomes less important, and more important is ridding themselves of the contracts they are on the hook for. Obviously, anyone who takes Paul from NO is going to have to take one or both of Posey or Okafor, assuming that money saving is NOs priority.

[towelie]

No offense, but if NOH was really going to trade Chris Paul for just cap relief, all the teams with CAP SPACE will be knocking on the door.

Why trade Paul for a $17M Vince Carter (whose sole value would be as an expiring), when they can trade for instant cap relief (avoid the luxury tax this year) and get a huge trade exception in return.

Teams like NJ can also give up the #3 pick. NY can and would be willing to also take on Okafor's contract, clearing another long-term commitment on their books, while giving up Wilson Chandler or Gallinari. Miami can also take on Okafor off their hands and give them Beasley (not sure if they'd want to pair Paul and Wade though).

Simply put, if cap relief is NOH's goal, they can get much better offers from teams that are actually under the cap, since salaries don't have to be matched.

[knicksNOTslick]

I'm sure the NO GM is thinking to himself right now, "Hmmm... I wanna trade Paul, but I want him to go to a contender. That way, when they win a ring, my heavily lopsided trade would be criticized even more."

Yea, not gonna happen. If the Hornets don't want to be criticized like the Grizzlies and TWolves were for gifting the Lakers and Celtics their championships, they would trade him to a team who won't be a contender after Paul for a few years. They would definitely not trade him to a team that's a superstar away from being the best team in the league. That's just career suicide for a GM. Not to mention, the Hornets can get far better offers... like instant cap relief from all the teams with cap space.. as we have all mentioned.

[NickAnderson]

Question, you guys that are talking instant cap relief. Aren't those players contracts already expired from last season?

[Magic24]

Question, you guys that are talking instant cap relief. Aren't those players contracts already expired from last season?

You can't trade a player whose contract is about to expire on the 1st of July. Teams who can absorb a max contract, can't do so until after free agency has started.

I can see the Nets trading for Paul and Okafor. Hornets can take on Harris, 3rd, 27th, a future pick and an expiring (Humphries).

They can even include Dooling for Songaila for more instant cap relief if they needed to. The Nets just need to make sure that they save some asset to offer in a sign and trade for Amare or Bosh. Their owner has money, so maybe he can buy a pick somewhere or trade their 2 second round picks.

[carrottop12]

There is just no way this rumor has any legs.

[DarkerThanBlack]

I'm sure the NO GM is thinking to himself right now, "Hmmm... I wanna trade Paul, but I want him to go to a contender. That way, when they win a ring, my heavily lopsided trade would be criticized even more."

[Jordan45822]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5317801

Orlando offerred Nelson and Carter, but GM "denied it"

[LameR]

In the voice of Johnny Cochran, it just doesn't make sense.

Awesome.

[No Offense]

It comes down to...Chris Paul won't be traded. If he was, then they'll have to get a better offer... and Orlando just doesn't have enough outside of Dwight.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

We're not the Cavs.

You can trade Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter.

[HootieRules]

Can't believe this thread got to 5 pages.

[DowJones]

After they swing this deal they should look to trade Gortat and Peatrius for LeBron.

[jaypo]

The Hornets have Collison and Thornton, both of which proved to be good players. Paul has had injury issues, but none too serious. But Paul means more to New Orleans than just a good PG. He has been a very positive force to us because of his efforts after Katrina and his impact on an off the court to a recovering area. Trading him would severely upset the fanbase around here.

From a talent standpoint, I think the Hornets could become a better team by trading him provided they get back some talent in his place. But overall, I think they can trade other pieces and improve the team that way as well. (Although I was kind of upset that he came out and said that he was open to a trade. He should have said "I want to stay here!")

[Blue_and_Whte]

Paul + Howard doesn't equal championship. Losing Carter will put a huge dent to the Magic's SG position. Redick isn't a starter at SG. You need a stud SG and a stud PF/C in order to win the championship.

Howard isn't skilled enough offensively to carry the Magic to a championship. If the Magic feel that they can get a player like Redd to play SG then they should pull a trigger. Otherwise, it doesn't make any sense for the Magic.

Chris Paul
tsherkin
NO-KG-AI
Blue_and_white
dwight Howard

would be a dynasty.

[DowJones]

My question is how does this offer trump New Jersey's offer of Harris and the #3?

-Harris=Nelson
-#3>>>>>>>>>>>Vince Carter
-Not having to pay VC $17 million in 2010-2011>>>>>>>>>>>Having to pay VC $17 million in 2010-2011.

[mattyBoi]

First of all the Magic would be taking on one of the Hornets bad contracts along with Paul. Also you can't just trade Harris and the 3rd for Paul, the Hornets would have to take back some junk to make it work. Harris isn't a winner anyways and he wouldn't be alright with a backup role behind Collison.

By the way this story is a lot more credible than a lot of you guys think.

[knicksNOTslick]

First of all the Magic would be taking on one of the Hornets bad contracts along with Paul. Also you can't just trade Harris and the 3rd for Paul, the Hornets would have to take back some junk to make it work. Harris isn't a winner anyways and he wouldn't be alright with a backup role behind Collison.

By the way this story is a lot more credible than a lot of you guys think.

No, it's not. A lot of teams would absorb all of the Hornet's bad contracts and add in more prospects. Just face it, Orlando does not have the best offer. I hate the Nets but they can offer a lot more with the #3 pick and take on bad contracts from the Hornets to make it work.

Orlando, outside of Dwight, just don't have enough to outbid other teams. That's fact.

[mattyBoi]

That's far from fact buddy. Are the Nets going to destroy their cap space to get Paul alone? Way to lock yourself into 6 years of failure. And who are these prospects you speak of? Nelson is an all star level proven point guard, obviously not on Paul's level, but I know for damn sure I would take Nelson over Harris ANY day. The Magic have prospects too, don't get it twisted.

Also remember that's 17 million in cap relief, PLUS unloading bad contracts, PLUS getting proven players. Really i'm interested to hear what other team is going to provide that.

[No Offense]

See: Cleveland, Stoudemire, trade deadline, 2008 + 2009.

I will get a tattoo of naked Greg Oden on my forearm if Chris Paul plays a minute for the Orlando Magic in 2010. Go ahead and quote me on that.