What should the Hornets do with D. Collison?

[bopna]

Darren Collison is one rookie that is playing out of his mind lately and certainly merits consideration as an upcoming player to watch in the future.. The guy is only as tall as Rondo, lightning quick as well and can drive and dish as good as anybody in the league right now. He is as joy to watch as well considering that he is just 22 y/o. (Note that as a rookie, CP3's numbers are 16 pts/7ass in 36 min.)

His stats has been astounding since the CP injury, he has been ave. 21 points 9.2 assist since Jan 30 game against Memphis,When given the starter minutes,he has scored 20 or more points 9 times in 17 games and a career high 35 points against Dallas on Feb 28  and recorded a rare triple double against Indiana on Feb 19 with 18 pts/13 reb/ 12 ast. and has nearly reached double figures in assist 6 times in 17 games in February when he just managed 9. He torched the C's in their lone meeting in Feb. with 25 points and 9 assist in a win (It was Obvious that Rondo and the Celtics staff didn't prepare themselves against the guy knowing CP3 was out.) And as ive said, the guy was obviously drafted as a pure backup to CP3.

But I can't help but wonder what on earth should the Hornets do with him once CP3 returns. The nearly 2 month sample is well enough to note that this guy has got talent. The Hornets ain't getting any talent for him if they trade him in the offseason but lets say they decided that this guy is legit and his future is as bright as CP3, then should the Hornets consider trading their Superstar PG and get loads of assets or perhaps another allstar in return?.

The Hornets record without Paul is still abysmal but that does not mean it will be better when Paul returns. Just some points to ponder on since the talent of this guy is off the charts and should really be starting as oppose to being a career backup of CP...What you guys think?

[MBz]

I think they wait til the end of the season, hope his production stays this high and then attempt to trade him with Peja's expiring to get some talent.  If they want to get an all-star player they are in pretty good shape to do so with Collison, Wright, Thornton and Peja's expring.

[GranTur]

Once the scouting report gets established on this guy his numbers will go down.

Scouting reports take a while to catch up.

[moiso]

Collison is a starter in the NBA.  Gotta trade him.  He's been very impressive.

[amenhotep04]

Once the scouting report gets established on this guy his numbers will go down.

Scouting reports take a while to catch up.

That's what they said about Rondo too. Collison can play. He's not a career back up in this league. He was smart to stay at UCLA for four years. He's a better defensive player than Paul. He can shoot, and has all the attributes you want in a good point guard. But, the bottom line is that they're not going to play both players together, so one will have to go. So whether it's Paul or Collison, New Orleans will have the ability to make some trades and get some good players and/or picks in the process.

[pearljammer10]

He can play. He'll start some where but he will level out at some point. Look what happen to the next Michael Jordan Brandon Jennings 

There's no way that they would trade Chris Paul unless they got another top 5 player back in return. Even if they are trying to cut salary and Collison is cheaper, they still keep Paul.

[moiso]

He can play. He'll start some where but he will level out at some point. Look what happen to the next Michael Jordan Brandon Jennings 

There's no way that they would trade Chris Paul unless they got another top 5 player back in return. Even if they are trying to cut salary and Collison is cheaper, they still keep Paul.

But why compare him to Jennings?  Why not Curry or Ty Lawson?  Why pick the one guy who regressed?  Jennings started out hot and regressed quickly.  Collison has done nothing but improve the entire year.

[footey]

This has turned out to be a very good rookie class. Especially guards.

This kid made mince meat out of us, especially Eddie. I think that game was the impetus for getting Nate, and having no problem giving up Eddie in the process (I love Eddie, by the way).

They will have to trade either Collision or Paul, and will get a very good player in return. Good to see that franchise make a good move. They have been snake bitten for a few years, just when it looked like they were a threat in the west.

[housecall]

He can play. He'll start some where but he will level out at some point. Look what happen to the next Michael Jordan Brandon Jennings 

There's no way that they would trade Chris Paul unless they got another top 5 player back in return. Even if they are trying to cut salary and Collison is cheaper, they still keep Paul.

But why compare him to Jennings?  Why not Curry or Ty Lawson?  Why pick the one guy who regressed?  Jennings started out hot and regressed quickly.  Collison has done nothing but improve the entire year.

I disagree about Jennings,yes his numbers tapered off but he is still a v.good pg. ...the Bucks probably will make the playoffs,and to say they don't have any real superstars on that team,losing M.Redd for the season,he has done a decent job at leading his team.I do agree with his numbers not being where most thought they would be but 15.7/6.1/1.3 is not bad either.Curry is scoring in bunches but so isn't the man he's guarding most nights(no defense),on the otherhand Ty Lawson is my pick for a legit all around rookie of the yr candidate.He plays the game like a vet.Collison looks like he might be the real deal too.  

   Jennings is in a system thats playing for something more than individual numbers this season whereas Curry is playing for individual numbers only.If Jennings was playing all season for the Warriors he'd probably be averaging 20+pts too.

[moiso]

I don't think Curry is playing for individual numbers only, like Monta does.  It's not his fault that he's on a pathetic team.  I think he's doing the best he possibly could under the circumstances.  He looks like he has a bright future, regardless of what team he's on.  But, yeah, everything is inflated on that team, and I'm sure Jennings would be averaging 20 points too, if he were there.  It seems like whoever Nelson plugs in at guard gets his 20, whether Watson, Curry, or Ellis.

[housecall]

I don't think Curry is playing for individual numbers only, like Monta does.  It's not his fault that he's on a pathetic team.  I think he's doing the best he possibly could under the circumstances.  He looks like he has a bright future, regardless of what team he's on.  But, yeah, everything is inflated on that team, and I'm sure Jennings would be averaging 20 points too, if he were there.  It seems like whoever Nelson plugs in at guard gets his 20, whether Watson, Curry, or Ellis.

What else is there to play for on that(pathetic)team?Whether its Ellis or Curry theres not much else to look forward to on the Warriors except pad your stats.Im not saying Curry is a selfish player,but the Warriors is not a team to get a true measure of what type of NBA player he will be.Scoring is only one part of it.I hope he will either move on to a better team or Nelly retire and the organization invest in the team the right way and build a competitive team again.   

[moiso]

I don't think Curry is playing for individual numbers only, like Monta does.  It's not his fault that he's on a pathetic team.  I think he's doing the best he possibly could under the circumstances.  He looks like he has a bright future, regardless of what team he's on.  But, yeah, everything is inflated on that team, and I'm sure Jennings would be averaging 20 points too, if he were there.  It seems like whoever Nelson plugs in at guard gets his 20, whether Watson, Curry, or Ellis.

What else is there to play for on that(pathetic)team?Whether its Ellis or Curry theres not much else to look forward to on the Warriors except pad your stats.Im not saying Curry is a selfish player,but the Warriors is not a team to get a true measure of what type of NBA player he will be.Scoring is only one part of it.I hope he will either move on to a better team or Nelly retire and the organization invest in the team the right way and build a competitive team again.   

I think a player can try to play the right way on a bad team.  I agree that team is a joke and they need a huge makeover.  They have a ton of young talent, but half of them sit out the whole year collecting checks.  Nelson needs to go, first and foremost.

[housecall]

I don't think Curry is playing for individual numbers only, like Monta does.  It's not his fault that he's on a pathetic team.  I think he's doing the best he possibly could under the circumstances.  He looks like he has a bright future, regardless of what team he's on.  But, yeah, everything is inflated on that team, and I'm sure Jennings would be averaging 20 points too, if he were there.  It seems like whoever Nelson plugs in at guard gets his 20, whether Watson, Curry, or Ellis.

What else is there to play for on that(pathetic)team?Whether its Ellis or Curry theres not much else to look forward to on the Warriors except pad your stats.Im not saying Curry is a selfish player,but the Warriors is not a team to get a true measure of what type of NBA player he will be.Scoring is only one part of it.I hope he will either move on to a better team or Nelly retire and the organization invest in the team the right way and build a competitive team again.   

I think a player can try to play the right way on a bad team.  I agree that team is a joke and they need a huge makeover.  They have a ton of young talent, but half of them sit out the whole year collecting checks.  Nelson needs to go, first and foremost.

Guys like Mikki Moore got rich playing for that team...thats the part that makes me sick as a fan of the game.Guys stay around the NBA even when they aren't at the NBA level of talent.Patty O'brien is another guy,got rich because of the system.If you are 7'and can jog up/down a bball court you can get a contract for the GSW.   

[Who]

Why should they trade their franchise player for a rookie point guard? A player who will only turn 25 later this season. A player who finished second in the MVP vote two years ago and fifth last season. A player who is widely regarded as the best point guard in all of basketball. Why would New Orleans trade such a magnificent talent? For a good rookie point guard? C'mon.

That's like trading LeBron James because you just drafted Richard Jefferson.

When you get a player as gifted as Chris Paul you treasure him. You build your franchise around him. You do not under any circumstances trade him without getting a top five talent of similar or younger age back in return.

[PosImpos]

I would try combining Collison with Thornton and an expiring to get a still relatively young fringe talent.  I'm not sure who would be available for such a package, though.