Celtics, Warriors, Clippers "strongly engaged" in Chris Paul talks

[heitingas]

Would the Mavs take back Chris Kaman on an expiring deal in a S&T, or would they tell the Clippers to pound salt?

My guess is, they'd take Kaman.

I forgot about Kaman, they could sign and trade Chandler to the Clippers now. Then trade for CP.

[birdwatcher]

well if they take this chance...it will be the LAST rodeo...because he won't resign in Boston.....and you are giving up a franchise PG in rondo for a hired gun...

With $50mil in cap space after the season, we'd be one of the teams that could give him the most lucrative contract, and still have the cake to bring someone else in.

[Roy H.]

Would the Mavs take back Chris Kaman on an expiring deal in a S&T, or would they tell the Clippers to pound salt?

My guess is, they'd take Kaman.

I forgot about Kaman, they could sign and trade Chandler to the Clippers now. Then trade for CP.

Yep.

Then, the Clippers would have an amazing -- if very expensive -- core going foward.

Chandler
Griffin
?
Gordon
CP3

[clover]

Paul would have to commit to an extension to go to those two places. We are the only team that will get him without one.

Yep.  Asking the Clippers to add Chandler as well is asking a lot.

[celticinorlando]

timkawakami Tim Kawakami
NBA source: Celtics contacted Warriors about Rondo-for-Curry & were turned down. Presumably, Boston wanted to flip Curry to NO for Paul.

[celticinorlando]

love how espn keeps pumping up paul to the lakers and they aren't even in the mix anymore

[celticinorlando]

Still not good enough RT @MrTrpleDouble10: Apparently it was Rondo, Green & 2 1st round picks 4 Paul http://bit.ly/rvT8ms via @KBergCBS



way too much to give up

[csfansince60s]

Celts want CP3. Hornets do not want RRondo. We need a third team.

Larry Legend can help us get CP3.

Indiana gets: Rondo

NOH gets:Hibbert, George, Collison and Glen Davis

Cs get: CP3

It works in Trade machine with JO substituted for a S&T Glen Davis, since salaries will be close and can't do S&Ts with Trade Machine.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7cvdpj5

Hornets get a lot of youth which they want at 4 different positions.

Maybe we have to give Ind our first round pick this year, not Clips pick.

[celticinorlando]

The details of offers surrounding talks with Dallas and Golden State weren't known, but the Celtics stepped forward with an offer that would not have to come with any commitment from Paul that he'd re-sign with Boston after the season. According to a person familiar with the discussions, the Celtics offered Rajon Rondo, two future first-round picks, and restricted free agent Jeff Green in a sign-and-trade for Paul.

The impetus behind the Celtics' potential rental offer for Paul was intriguing: Come to Boston, take a shot at winning a title with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett while the window is still open, and then have enough room to entice Dwight Howard to come on board as an unrestricted free agent next summer. Garnett and Allen come off the books July 1, leaving the Celtics with only $30.4 million in committed salary for next season, when Howard can opt out of his contract with Orlando.

[snively]

Would the Mavs take back Chris Kaman on an expiring deal in a S&T, or would they tell the Clippers to pound salt?

My guess is, they'd take Kaman.

I forgot about Kaman, they could sign and trade Chandler to the Clippers now. Then trade for CP.

Yep.

Then, the Clippers would have an amazing -- if very expensive -- core going foward.

Chandler
Griffin
?
Gordon
CP3

Probably not much more expensive then the Big 3 + Rondo over time once you average in the savings from Griffin and Gordon's last years on the rookie scale.

Very good team.  It would be nice to see Clippers fans (the nice people in LA like the Clippers) have something to cheer about.

But it's the Clippers: the next time something works out well for them will be the first.

Interesting that the Warriors are in pursuit.  I wonder how confident they'd be in resigning Paul. Lee/Ellis/Biedrins isn't any better than the supporting cast CP3's eager to escape.  I wouldn't be confident in their situation.

Looks like a two-horse race between Boston and the Clips if Woj is to be believed. 

[celticinorlando]

Sounds like Clippers & Hornets have discussed Chris Paul for DeAndre Jordan, Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and a pick http://www.iamagm.com/news/2011/12/06/sounds.clippers.hornets.have.discussed.chris.paul.deandre.jordan.al.farouq.aminu

[33_Larry Legend_33]

The details of offers surrounding talks with Dallas and Golden State weren't known, but the Celtics stepped forward with an offer that would not have to come with any commitment from Paul that he'd re-sign with Boston after the season. According to a person familiar with the discussions, the Celtics offered Rajon Rondo, two future first-round picks, and restricted free agent Jeff Green in a sign-and-trade for Paul.

The impetus behind the Celtics' potential rental offer for Paul was intriguing: Come to Boston, take a shot at winning a title with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett while the window is still open, and then have enough room to entice Dwight Howard to come on board as an unrestricted free agent next summer. Garnett and Allen come off the books July 1, leaving the Celtics with only $30.4 million in committed salary for next season, when Howard can opt out of his contract with Orlando.

I like this scenario very much so.  Nothing is guaranteed when it comes to cap space, but it would have to be very intriguing to partner up Paul, Pierce and Howard.  Even Chris Paul would have to be open to this.  

I think he could find Boston to be a very nice fit for him, and possibly he just doesn't know enough of the culture of the Celtics yet to appreciate it.  But this would be cool to see come together.  Seems like it's been a LONG time since we've heard the words "Celtics" and "cap space" in the same sentence...

[snively]

timkawakami Tim Kawakami
NBA source: Celtics contacted Warriors about Rondo-for-Curry & were turned down. Presumably, Boston wanted to flip Curry to NO for Paul.

Wow.  I would think Rondo would have more value around the league.  Back-to-back all-star, cost-controlled for four years...  oh well.  I'll be happy to keep him if no one else wants him.

[celticinorlando]

rondo is getting shopped big time...going to have to repair some fences if he stays

[celticinorlando]

i think they need to keep rondo...resign green and get serious about filling out the roster...chasing paul is like chasing a unicorn...wasting time