Lakers back in CP3 hunt, Green not included update

[j804]

article from NBA.com David Aldridge

The Los Angeles Lakers are not out of the Chris Paul Sweepstakes.

A league source involved in the discussions said late Tuesday night that the Lakers are still among the teams the New Orleans Hornets are having advanced discussions with on a potential trade of Paul, the four-time All-Star guard who is seeking a trade after spending his first six seasons in the Big Easy.

The Lakers, Clippers, Warriors and Celtics currently have a leg up on other teams that are trying to acquire Paul. Yahoo! Sports had reported earlier Tuesday that the Clippers, Warriors and Celtics had the three best offers on the table for Paul. The Lakers' potential offer would send either center Andrew Bynum or forward Pau Gasol along with forward Lamar Odom to the Hornets for Paul.

The Clippers are offering a package, according to sources, that includes guard Eric Bledsoe, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman and the unprotected 2012 first-round pick the Clippers currently possess from the Timberwolves. Another source was adamant Tuesday that the Clippers have not included rising star guard Eric Gordon in any package for Paul, preferring to keep Gordon and Blake Griffin together to team with Paul in their own "SuperFriends" team like the Heat.

The Warriors are offering a package involving their young star guard Stephen Curry and their first-round pick Klay Thompson.

The Celtics' package, according to a source, centers on guard Rajon Rondo, along with the rights to first-rounder MarShon Brooks, forward Avery Bradley and a 2012 first-round pick from the Clippers that is protected through the first 10 picks of the Draft.

While the Hornets could conceivably make a deal with any of those teams individually, it's more likely that each of them will require a third team getting involved to get the Hornets the combination of young players and Draft picks they're asking for in exchange for Paul. And the fluidity of the situation, with the Hornets looking for as much as they possibly can get for Paul, makes establishing a single frontrunner difficult.

The league source indicated that while it would be preferable to trade Paul before the scheduled start of training camps on Friday, the Hornets are not going to be held hostage by the calendar.The Hornets "don't feel a rush" to move Paul under those conditions, the source said; while the franchise understands the pressure Paul is under, the Hornets aren't the ones who have asked for a divorce. The Hornets are working almost around the clock sifting through potential deals.

"There's no bad blood with Chris," the source said. "It's just the business."

Trading a franchise player only happens once, and New Orleans is facing unique circumstances. The Hornets are currently owned by the NBA until they find a permanent owner. They are about to complete a campaign for 10,000 season ticket holders at New Orleans Arena, and feel a sense of obligation to put a competitive team on the court this season rather than hoard Draft picks and do a full-blown rebuild. So if the worst-case scenario is to play some or all of the season with Paul in New Orleans, the Hornets will live with the possibility that Paul could walk at season's end, while hoping the offers improve.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/david_aldridge/12/07/chris-paul-lakers/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

So I guess LA is still trying to get him. Also there's no mention of Green being included in the Celtics offer. It also says rights to Marshon Brooks so I guess we still have him somehow? This thing will drag out and they are fine with it he might not go anywhere. 

[rondohondo]

we traded Brooks for JuJuan Johnson on draft night , so I am assuming he means Johnson would be part of the deal?

[clover]

"Forward Avery Bradley"?

[heitingas]

I really dislike Aldrige and his reporting, he isn't careful with details and what player's position or names. I think he's misinformed about everything..

[PosImpos]

I really dislike Aldrige and his reporting, he isn't careful with details and what player's position or names. I think he's misinformed about everything..

yeah, hard to take him seriously when he thinks we selected MarShon Brooks this past July.

we traded Brooks for JuJuan Johnson on draft night , so I am assuming he means Johnson would be part of the deal?

I think he meant E'Twaun Moore, actually

[Marcus13]

I honestly believe CP3 could make Jeff Green appear above average

[PosImpos]

I honestly believe CP3 could make Jeff Green appear above average

well, it's not like green looked amazing with rondo feeding him (though there were flashes).

[birdwatcher]

The SportsHub news flash claims that the package would be Rondo, Moore, & Jeff Green. Not sure about the Clips draft pick. I assume we would be getting another C along with Paul if that were true?

[PosImpos]

The SportsHub news flash claims that the package would be Rondo, Moore, & Jeff Green. Not sure about the Clips draft pick. I assume we would be getting another C along with Paul if that were true?

aaron grey (sign and trade) or david andersen could possibly be included in the trade.


i have to assume the clippers pick will be included in any deal for paul, and probably the celtics' 1st round pick in 2012 as well.

[PAOBoston]

i thought they trade marshon brooks? bradley a forward? isnt it aldridge's job to check his facts before actually writing a story? welcome to reporting of the 21st century i guess. lol.

on a side note, all this rumor stuff is making my head explode. you gotta think the c's get some else back too (center). i bet a team that we havent heard of will be part of a deal if a deal where to go down.

[Q_FBE]

What is our back-up trade scenario in case we don't get Rondo for Paul, Danny?

I think we have virtually committed ourselves to trading Rondo, now.

I also think we need to go for broke this season because after 2012 we will have only Paul Pierce as a tradeable asset, no youth, and tons of cap space to spend on 2nd rate FA. This is a CRITICAL weekend for the Celtics PRESENT and FUTURE.  

[Fafnir]

What is our back-up trade scenario in case we don't get Rondo for Paul, Danny?

I think we have virtually committed ourselves to trading Rondo, now.

I disagree.

Relationships can be repaired if handled properly.

[PosImpos]

What is our back-up trade scenario in case we don't get Rondo for Paul, Danny?

I think we have virtually committed ourselves to trading Rondo, now.

I also think we need to go for broke this season because after 2012 we will have only Paul Pierce as a tradeable asset, no youth, and tons of cap space to spend on 2nd rate FA. This is a CRITICAL weekend for the Celtics PRESENT and FUTURE. 

i don't know if we've committed to trading rondo now, but i think after all this it's clear that sooner or later rondo is going to get traded.  danny's actions suggest very strongly that he's not interested in trying to rebuild with rondo, and rondo is certainly sharp enough to pick up on that.

[celticinorlando]

it is CP3 or nothing for danny...he is on a quest...but IMO you keep rondo and address the bench that is going to make or break this team

[GreenFaith1819]

Pos - your sig is funny . TP.