NOH desperate to shed salary, even at the expense of Paul?

[ssspence]

Per Bill Simmons:

Rumors are flying that New Orleans might gut the roster this summer and that, as crazy as this sounds, Chris Paul could be had if you can save them a boatload of money in the process. For instance, let's say they were offered the following "Godfather" package from Houston: T-Mac's expiring deal and Brent Barry's expiring deal ($24 million combined), Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry, Shane Battier and Luis Scola for Paul, Peja Stojakovic, James Posey and Tyson Chandler. That trade works even before Paul's extension kicks in, meaning it would save New Orleans $10 million next season and $4 million to $5 million more if they bought out T-Mac. Over the next three years, it saves them $45 million to $50 million potentially, keeps the team afloat in New Orleans, and might even keep them decent with the right moves. Wouldn't that make more sense than gutting the franchise like a fish (which they will), saddling Paul with a terrible team and eventually pushing him to demand a trade? I can't see any scenario in which Chris Paul is a happy New Orleans Hornet in two years. Which means he'll find a better team. Sorry, N'Awlins. Over.

While it's hard to imagine Paul being traded, if there's any validity to this, it's be worth throwing our hat into the ring considering our large list of expiring contracts:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=pnhsrw

Thoughts? Problem may be that they'll have to pay Rondo too much anyway.

[dlpin]

I think New Orleans could get much better deals out there for Paul. Not only the Houston deal Simmons mentioned, but stuff like ben wallace+delonte west+mo williams...

In any case, Bill Simmons is not really an NBA insider, so I am very skeptical of when he is the one breaking news. I bet these rumors are nothing more than internet based speculation because they tried to dump salaries last year.

[Fan from VT]

Yeah, i had just seen that too. if it's true, they'd have to think about such a trade.  I think they'd want to dump chandler and peja though:

Ray
Rondo
scal
eddie
tony
walker
pruitt
giddens

for

Paul
peja
chandler

roster:

paul
peja
pierce
kg
chandler

perk
baby
cheap guards...who knows.

[ssspence]

I think New Orleans could get much better deals out there for Paul. Not only the Houston deal Simmons mentioned, but stuff like ben wallace+delonte west+mo williams...

In any case, Bill Simmons is not really an NBA insider, so I am very skeptical of when he is the one breaking news. I bet these rumors are nothing more than internet based speculation because they tried to dump salaries last year.

why on earth would they do that deal. build around mo williams?

[crownsy]

I think New Orleans could get much better deals out there for Paul. Not only the Houston deal Simmons mentioned, but stuff like ben wallace+delonte west+mo williams...

In any case, Bill Simmons is not really an NBA insider, so I am very skeptical of when he is the one breaking news. I bet these rumors are nothing more than internet based speculation because they tried to dump salaries last year.

why on earth would they do that deal. build around mo williams?

because if you believe the net rumors, its that our the team folds and moves out of NO, since they have a high payroll.

[dlpin]

why on earth would they do that deal. build around mo williams?

As opposed to doing a deal to cut payroll and ending up having to resign rondo for a lot more than he currently earns, therefore ending up saving a lot less than originally desired?

They'd do a deal to get rid of Paul's incoming 15 mill a year deal, but get Rondo back, who will sign for at least 8-9 mill?

Besides, as I said before: Simmons is not an NBA insider. If there was any validity to this rumor, it would be made public by an actual insider who talks to GMs every day.

[WeMadeIt17]

CP3 Will not be traded from N.O.

[ssspence]

why on earth would they do that deal. build around mo williams?

As opposed to doing a deal to cut payroll and ending up having to resign rondo for a lot more than he currently earns, therefore ending up saving a lot less than originally desired?

They'd do a deal to get rid of Paul's incoming 15 mill a year deal, but get Rondo back, who will sign for at least 8-9 mill?

Besides, as I said before: Simmons is not an NBA insider. If there was any validity to this rumor, it would be made public by an actual insider who talks to GMs every day.

right, you have to pay rondo. but if chandler or peja or posey is in there they save a time, as everyone else is expiring besides rondo. anyway i think considering rajon (and ray to keep things respiectable this year), we could make a pretty good claim if this ever took shape.

[ssspence]

CP3 Will not be traded from N.O.

really? oh well in that case, sorry i made the post. i shoulda known better!

[WeMadeIt17]

He just wont be there is an article on realgm.com saying they would rather take a tax hit then trade David West why would they trade the best PG in the league?

[Mad Hatter]

CP3 sells tickets, puts butts in the seats, sells jerseys, etc. He is the face of the Hornets. No way they trade him. If they do, all that fan support goes down the drain.

This is all coming from Bill "I Wanna Be T-Wolves GM" Simmons.

[winsomme]

I'm not sure how that BS trade is any better than just letting it play out till CP is unhappy. It's not like you are getting core players in return.

If i was going to trade CP (not that i would) i would trade him for a top pick and expiring/shorter deals.

like to the Clipps for #1, Camby and RickyD or MEM for #1, Milicic and Buckner, etc...

[crownsy]

CP3 sells tickets, puts butts in the seats, sells jerseys, etc. He is the face of the Hornets. No way they trade him. If they do, all that fan support goes down the drain.

This is all coming from Bill "I Wanna Be T-Wolves GM" Simmons.

just to play devils advocate ( i agree they shouldn't trade him) but, what fan support?

NO was 19th in the NBA in terms of attendance.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance

[jdpapa3]

I can't really see your trade there on the trade machine, but CP3 just won't leave my mind, either.

New Orleans is REALLY REALLY struggling financially, as seen in that Tyson Chandler trade this season.

I am having trouble doing trade scenarios because of the poison pill aspect of CP3 that will not be there when his extension kicks in.

My first thought was something along the lines of Rondo, R. Allen (exp), Scalabrine (exp) for Paul and Posey.

With Paul, we could be talking one of the best 3 point guards of all time. Depends on how bad the financial situation in NOLA is.

[Kuberski33]

Interesting story in that basketball already failed in NO once before.  If you trade Chris Paul, you're basically throwing up a white flag to your fan base....so I would have to think that move happens right before the Hornets pull up and move.

However rumors that the franchise is struggling aren't at all surprising given this economy.  You need a business and disposable income base to support an NBA franchise and that's not exactly NO's strong point these days.