CP3 NO/LAC good trade partners

[mkwest]

Honestly i think something very similar could and should happen but i really think the hornets would want the team taking CP3 to also take Okafor .. If we trade CP3, were rebuilding, no need for Okafor and his contract

Basically i think we all pretty much agree what it it would take.. I want Jordan over Kaman obviously and i think if the hornets came to the Clippers and said throw in a re-signed Jordan instead of Kaman, I strongly doubt the Clippers would turn them down.. considering how marketable a team built around CP3 and Blake with Eric Gordan as the 3rd player in a "Big 3"would be

Bledsoe Aminu Jordan + 2 high picks (ours and minnesotas) + a lot of cap room.. and that starts the rebuilding off process with some good building blocks.

That's a lot, but I would do it. It would suck, because DJ would be great to have with Paul and the whole BG/DJ BFF factor, but we couldn't turn it down. If we would move Kaman for that SF that we have longed for, then we'd have a legit squad. The bench would be crazy thin, but it would be worth it.

[BLT]

I thought having a big man trio of Kaman Griffin Okafor would be great for you guys.. considering you need 3 solid big men to go against teams like the lakers.. Seriously though a big 3 of CP3 Griffin and Gordan with Okafor and Kaman.. you would just need to sign a few depth players and use your MLE to sign a solid SF and you guys would have 1 of the better teams in the NBA.

[Ranma]

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld (6/24/11)

Clippers want a Melo or Deron Level Trade
The home run Olshey was generally referring to was landing a free agent that would not only solidify the Clippers as a playoff team but help make them a force in the playoffs.

Easier said than done but the team is hoping they'll be able to package that pick at a later date to get an elite player who becomes available in trade. While Neil couldn't name names, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and even Deron Williams would be major gets for the Clippers.

"We're going to need an asset like the Minnesota pick to get into those conversations and that's another reason we held onto it [rather than protecting the 2011 pick]," said Olshey.

"We're still one piece away but it's not going to be the wrong piece. We're going to be patient and make sure it's the right piece," said Olshey. "And again that's where the Minnesota pick comes into play because if you want to hit a home run, you better have the assets to do it."

The 2012 pick won't go out for high-level but non-elite players like Danny Granger, Andre Iguodala and Rudy Gay.

Both LA Teams Happy with Draft


Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports (6/27/11)

West will be one of the premier free agents on the market this offseason, after opting out of the $7.5 million owed him in the final year of his contract. West’s agent, Lance Young, informed New Orleans GM Dell Demps of the decision Monday morning.

His decision could be a prelude to the eventual departure of All-Star guard Chris Paul, who has played his entire career with West in New Orleans. The Hornets might have to trade Paul next season before he reaches free agency in 2012 and start a complete rebuilding process.

West likely done in New Orleans


David Aldridge, NBA.com (6/22/09)

"You can never say never about anything, obviously," Dunleavy told me after the workout, "but I don't know who the players are in this league that would fit into that category (for a potential trade of the first pick). Obviously, if the word 'LeBron' was spoken by anybody, somebody's door would open, clearly. There are a few guys in this league that would get moved. In the case of a pick like this, 99.9 percent of the time, you would keep it."

(There are two other words, I'm told, that would pique the Clippers' interest: "Chris" and "Paul." Other than that, no dice.)

Draft preview: Closer look at the power forwards


There is no doubt in my mind that the Clippers, in addition to pursuing a solution at SF (Iggy, Prince, etc.), are firmly focused on Chris Paul as an acquisition whether through trade or free agency. His name has been mentioned quite a few times as a target for the Clippers over the past few years and with the likely possibility of West leaving the New Orleans, the Hornets may eventually be resigned to losing their franchise player.

This could explain Neil Olshey's steadfast reluctance with dealing the Minny pick as well as his downplaying the prospects of Kyrie Irving. Having Paul with Griffin, Gordon, Jordan, and whoever ends up being our small forward would be absolutely phenomenal. Of course, he may prefer to join his buddies Melo and Amar'e in New York but the bigger salary and loaded lineup may present an enticing proposition for him to sign as an outright free agent or approving a sign-and-trade deal. Sterling as the owner would obviously be the biggest drawback.

[mkwest]

There is no doubt in my mind that the Clippers, in addition to pursuing a solution at SF (Iggy, Prince, etc.), are firmly focused on Chris Paul as an acquisition whether through trade or free agency. His name has been mentioned quite a few times as a target for the Clippers over the past few years and with the likely possibility of West leaving the New Orleans, the Hornets may eventually be resigned to losing their franchise player.

This could explain Neil Olshey's steadfast reluctance with dealing the Minny pick as well as his downplaying the prospects of Kyrie Irving. Having Paul with Griffin, Gordon, Jordan, and whoever ends up being our small forward would be absolutely phenomenal. Of course, he may prefer to join his buddies Melo and Amar'e in New York but the bigger salary and loaded lineup may present an enticing proposition for him to sign as an outright free agent or approving a sign-and-trade deal. Sterling as the owner would obviously be the biggest drawback.

I don't think any of us will ever forget Sterling telling Paul that he belongs in Hollywood. Part of me feels that we have a chance with the pick in a package, but the Knicks are in a great position also. Melo & Paul have the CAA/Leon Rose connection and Paul has already made comments about them and Stoudemire forming their own big 3 in New York. New York is currently only looking to add 1 year deals this season in order to preserve 2012 cap space. If he doesn't end up in New York, then I like to think that we're next up on his list of preferred destinations.

The thing that I don't like is that we can find ourselves once again spinning our wheels when a player already has an under the table agreement elsewhere. Our players need to be more proactive in the future, if you know what I mean.

[changchang]

As a Hornets fan, I think it would take a trade below for you to get CP3

CP3 and Okafor

for

Kaman, D Jordan, E Gordon, Bledsoe, and Minny's 1st.

Now I know y'all will go crazy and say that is too much, but with other reported offers from other teams (OKC for Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka), that is what it would probably take.

But a lineup of CP3, Griffin, Okafor, Aminu, Foye, Gomes, etc. is a contendor in the West, and would actually make the Clippers relevant

[QRich3]

That doesn't even make us better than we are now.

Oshley's always talking about a core of Blake, EJ and Deandre, I doubt any of those three are moved, much less two of them.

Oh and I don't think OKC would give you that much for Paul.

[scoobs07]

CP3/EJ is a good basis for a trade i think. CP3 could make into a MVP. EJ would provide NO with a star player in return that would be easier to keep i'n the offseason because he is restricted. Plus, NO would save 12 million In a straight up trade. Though other pieces would probably be involved.

[SportsFan215]

I say just wait until Free Agency and we should be able to get CP3 or DWill as a FA without having to give up EJ or the MIN pick. Don't trade too much away when we are in this power position.

[mkwest]

I may be being greedy, but I wouldn't give up EJ and the Minnesota pick. When you add up all the pieces of what we would be including into a trade, it would end up being a Top-5 SG, potentially a Top-5 lottery pick, salary relief and whatever other young player would be thrown into the mix. We're likely going to have either enough space to sign a free-agent outright, or at least the flexibility to make the necessary moves to free up enough salary to sign a player outright.

When you look at the teams that would be on Paul/Howard/Deron's list of acceptable destinations and then at the assets that those destinations have...we should be in the mix. Aside from New Jersey/Brooklyn, none of those destinations can add more than one free-agent. Orlando doesn't have the assets. New York is definitely in play. The Lakers are limited in the asset department for what will be a rebuilding team (New Orleans, Orlando or the Nets).

The guy proposing Kaman, DJ, EJ, Minny and Bledsoe knows that offer is too much. Just because something has been thrown around on the trade board or mentioned by a writer doesn't mean it's actually in play. OKC would not give up those 3 for Howard, so they definitely wouldn't give up those 3 for Paul.

[scoobs07]

^that makes a lot of sense if we don't have a season, but I'm trying to be optimistic. We prolly could get lucky but to get a CP3 or a DWill we have to give up something. Giving up EJ and the pick might even be wiser than giving up EJ and taking back some bad contracts like okafor.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I like the idea of trying to get Chris Paul, but to get him I never thought of giving up EJ. I think giving up the Twolves pick and some of our young players would be enough.

[Bobbcats]

The more I think of it the more I want to see a trade between these two teams go down. Hornets need a fresh restart and people will watch more games if there are lots of very young players developing than if it's a trade for Granger or something that leads to a mediocre team. For the Clippers building around CP/Gordon/Griffin/DJ makes them contenders for years. Aminu/Bledsoe/Kaman/whoever and Foye w/picks would be the right move for both franchises.

If there's a lockout all season though no way it happens

[scoobs07]

Whenever u get somebody that makes others better you do what you have to do to get that player.

[mkwest]

Whenever u get somebody that makes others better you do what you have to do to get that player.

I agree with that sentiment for the most part, but I wouldn't want to see us outbidding ourselves when the rest of the field is giving up lesser offers. Gordon may very well be an all-star in the next season or 2. The Minnesota pick is in a loaded draft that could turn out to be a comparable player or better if the ping pong balls bounce in our favor. We could essentially be giving up two all-star caliber players for a player that was going to walk anyway. I love Paul and his game, but I do concerns over his knee and have for awhile. A player of his talent is worth taking a risk for, but I just would be cautious as well. I'm not above giving up EJ in a trade if it improves the team now and for the future. I'd prefer to trade one or the other as opposed to both or we'd still have a team with holes that would need to be filled.

For New Orleans, a team without an owner, having more assets and less liabilities may be a move that is attractive to them. If you're giving up a top 5 or so player, then you're probably going to want to shed a bad contract or 2 as well in the process. If they can move Okafor's salary, bring in some young talent on cheap contracts (a combination of Bledsoe, Aminu, Willie, Leslie, Thompkins, etc.) and 2 lottery picks in a strong draft (Minnesota's and what would be their own), then a new owner could come in and have something to work with moving forward. They may stay in New Orleans or they may move, but a team with a young foundation and no significant long-term contracts can turn it around in a few years' time with the right basketball mind running things.

[Ranma]

ESPN.com (7/5/11)

What should the Hornets do with Chris Paul?

A. Trade him this offseason.
B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline.
C. Hold on to him.

Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. Barring a miraculous trade, the Hornets have no chance at keeping Paul. Nonetheless, they should try to showcase a healthy CP3 for at least part of the season, in hopes of eliminating doubts about his brilliant playoff run’s sustainability throughout the course of the regular season.

Tim Donahue, 8 Points, 9 Seconds: A. Trade him this offseason. Let David West walk. Deal Chris Paul for a whole lot of youth and picks, and get the franchise in position to be sold and probably moved. Normally, I’d be opposed to that approach, but this is a unique financial situation.

Matt McHale, By The Horns: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. The team has financial problems and won’t be going anywhere with or without him. And there have been some indications that he may want to leave and team up with another star or two. The Hornets should spend time next season shopping for the best deal (young talent and expiring contracts).

Michael Wallace, Heat Index: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. But this will be a tricky process, considering the fact the league owns the Hornets. You already have owners lining up to cry foul on any move the team makes if it gives another team the advantage of landing Paul.

If the ownership issue remains the same, the only fair thing to do might be to let Paul walk in free agency and do an after-the-fact sign and trade to get draft picks and a huge cap exception.

Royce Young, Daily Thunder: C. Hold on to him. Really, just see my answer for Dwight Howard above and insert Paul’s name there. We’re talking about the top point guard in the league.

The Hornets aren’t likely contenders right now, but at least force CP3 to make a decision. If you trade him, there’s not even a chance he’s part of your future. Take the risk.

To trade or not to trade these six stars

[mkwest]

ESPN.com (7/5/11)

What should the Hornets do with Chris Paul?

A. Trade him this offseason.
B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline.
C. Hold on to him.

Jovan Buha, ClipperBlog: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. Barring a miraculous trade, the Hornets have no chance at keeping Paul. Nonetheless, they should try to showcase a healthy CP3 for at least part of the season, in hopes of eliminating doubts about his brilliant playoff run’s sustainability throughout the course of the regular season.

Tim Donahue, 8 Points, 9 Seconds: A. Trade him this offseason. Let David West walk. Deal Chris Paul for a whole lot of youth and picks, and get the franchise in position to be sold and probably moved. Normally, I’d be opposed to that approach, but this is a unique financial situation.

Matt McHale, By The Horns: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. The team has financial problems and won’t be going anywhere with or without him. And there have been some indications that he may want to leave and team up with another star or two. The Hornets should spend time next season shopping for the best deal (young talent and expiring contracts).

Michael Wallace, Heat Index: B. Deal him at the 2012 trade deadline. But this will be a tricky process, considering the fact the league owns the Hornets. You already have owners lining up to cry foul on any move the team makes if it gives another team the advantage of landing Paul.

If the ownership issue remains the same, the only fair thing to do might be to let Paul walk in free agency and do an after-the-fact sign and trade to get draft picks and a huge cap exception.

Royce Young, Daily Thunder: C. Hold on to him. Really, just see my answer for Dwight Howard above and insert Paul’s name there. We’re talking about the top point guard in the league.

The Hornets aren’t likely contenders right now, but at least force CP3 to make a decision. If you trade him, there’s not even a chance he’s part of your future. Take the risk.

To trade or not to trade these six stars

Most have come to the conclusion that Paul is gone. Knicks are probably the frontrunners if he leaves in free-agency. I'm sure that Paul has a few other teams on a short list of destinations that he would like to go to. West is supposedly shooting for a November 1st return, which would have him ready close to opening tip-off of the season. If he walks, then New Orleans should try to move Paul before the season begins imo. It would be better to get young players, draft picks and have a bad season to get their own lottery for a rebuild as opposed to waiting until the deadline and getting a late lottery pick.

Orlando needs a miracle (i.e. a huge trade to bring in a sidekick, for Gilbert Arenas to revert back to 2006 or both). I think they should hold onto him and hope for the best. If they are forced to trade him, then they need to unload as many bad contracts as they can.

New Jersey should hold on Deron. They've invested everything into him and are not going to get the equivalent of what they traded for him. They're going to have cap space in a year if they don't overspend this year and will likely be able to entice a good player or two to join Deron if he stays.

The Suns are fine in whatever they do with Nash. If they wait, he'll expire and they'll have plenty of cap room in 2012. If they make a move before that, then they'll be able to add another asset or two for their rebuild. Nash is nearing the end of his career and I would like to see him have the opportunity to give it at least one more go for the gold. That doesn't look like it's going to be in Phoenix, so I'd like to see him moved to a better situation (outside of our division ).

If I'm the Celtics, I'd probably keep both Garnett and Allen, but would consider moving Allen (if the right deal came along) between the two. Both are free-agents at the end of the season. Ainge has set the C's up to potentially be players in the summer of 2012, but probably wouldn't rule out bringing back KG and Ray Ray at discount prices. They gave the QO to Green, but I doubt they'd spend too much on him. The team needs to start preparing for the future, but are still in a position to compete now.

[BLT]

ah im so smart..