Chris Paul wants no part of Celtics

[j804]

via The Herald it was posted in the early AM so it's recent don't know how credible it is but ouch 

Amid reports that New Orleans’ discussions had cooled with the Clippers and Warriors over what each team was willing to trade for Chris Paul, the Celtics [team stats] were in a holding pattern last night.

Though the Celtics appear willing to trade Rajon Rondo [stats] and perhaps Glen Davis to the Hornets for Paul despite a sizable risk of losing the high-scoring point guard to free agency next summer, the gamble could make for a very brief attempt at the 18th title in franchise history.

Though the combination of Paul, Paul Pierce [stats], Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sounds intriguing, especially over the short span of a 66-game season, it still doesn’t appeal to the 26-year-old star.


A source who has spent time recently with Paul insisted yesterday that the Hornets star considers the Celtics a non-starter for his career, and has no intention of signing an extension to play with the C’s in the long term.

The team is simply too old to stir his interest.

“Their window is just too short for him,” said the source. “He looks on them as having one year left to do something, and that’s it.”

Even though Danny Ainge and Hornets general manager Dell Demps have not talked this week, the Celtics’ offer emerged last night as the most stable on Demps’ board.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2011_1208paul_wants_no_part_of_celts/

[Drucci]

Thanks for the find, TP.

Paul's concerns are legit (if the source is reliable, of course) but it's unclear wether Paul realizes how Boston can litterally build a team around him after this season, so it's a major selling point (among the culture of the franchise, Doc Rivers, the fans, etc) that he may be unaware of.

Also, the article seems to indicate that the C's would rather offer Big Baby than Green in a trade, interesting.

[PosImpos]

i'm cool with having cp3 for one year.  having cp3 on board gives us the best shot at convincing dwight howard to sign here next summer, and if neither of them commit here long term, we're set up to hit rock bottom and begin rebuilding immediately.

come here and try to win a title with us, cp3.  chances are we'll at least make it deep into the playoffs with you.  then you can go play with the knicks or the clippers or something.  but you just might like what we have going on here in boston.

[GreenFaith1819]

Chris has legit concerns, but I think it's a non-issue.

Once/If he gets here, he will see that the team is not quite as "old" as he's heard.

Plus, I think he is under-estimating what Danny/Doc's plans are.

If these are his concerns, then this should take LA out of the running. Kobe's/LA's epic collapse last year vs DAL should give him pause. That wasn't a fluke.

The LA Lakers are (gasp!) old.

And if he is concerned about youth, how much credence does he give to the possibility that GSW, Clips or even NY will field a legitimate contender in the near future? Those teams appear to be on the upswing, but TRUE title contenders? Not yet, those three.

Even if/once he gets here, and he still insists on just doing the one year thing, then as long as he promises to compete in Green for that time then I think all is well. I'm still holding out hope that once/if he gets here, then perhaps his mind will change...maybe Dwight potentially coming here will change his mind.

But if we get a title (18) and he still walks? I'll forgive him. His and JO's first title, and TWO titles for Paul, KG and Ray?

I'll be happy.

[gotjoker?]

Evidently, Paul doesn't want any part of either Golden State or the Los Angeles Clippers long term either.

However, I'm curious, why the openness to a trade to the Lakers? I thought the main objective for you was to become a New York Knickerbocker.  Why not play out this upcoming season and then pursue New York? Oh well, I was wrong about the Clippers chances...

I wonder who will purchase the New Orleans Hornets franchise from the NBA without a franchise name already in place.

Ainge might as well try somehow to get Josh Smith now.

Chris Paul will not commit to signing a contract extension after this season with either the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Clippers if he is traded to either team by the New Orleans Hornets, citing the potential financial hit if he were to do that rather than becoming a free agent and signing a new deal with a new team next summer, according to league sources. That has left potential deals with both teams in limbo.

It was not known Wednesday if Paul had similar reluctance to sign an extension after this season with the Lakers, who are also involved in trade talks with the Hornets for Paul.

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

[Greenbean]

2:00 pm Friday is when I will start listening to these rumors more closely.

In the last 48 hours we have heard the Celtics are favorites, out of the running, deal is done, deal was never close...

[Jon]

Well, I think this is more the national media being behind the curve.  It's not news to us on this board that Paul doesn't prefer the C's.  We've been talking about this for the past few days. 

To me, there's nothing new here.  We've always known that if Paul comes here, it might only be for one year. 

[Gomesfan]

You know FA has been on the horn with him promising the kitchen sink of  trades and FA signing and how D12 is coming!

[SHAQATTACK]

Yea ... I would "HOPE" CP3 is SERIOUS about Basketball as I would believe him to be. If not,  ...then forget him I would rather Rondo stay.  At least Rondo doesn't whine about the weather.....for pete sake give me a break..are these MEN or 14 year olds we are talking about ?

Meaning basketball is his career/job/work/income and he would put it above hanging with his homeboys. Hopfully he is mature enough by now to realize that.

I'm not 25 years old anymore, I just don't understand wanting to live in NYC or LA  and wanting to hang out with the likes of weirdo movie stars ....

So maybe CP3 wants to marry one of those worthless fat KARDASHIN women  and get high with Charlie Sheen evernight ...well if thats more important than his BASketball
maybe he is the WRONG person for the Celtics.

Far as weather....thats stupid...basketball is played indoors, and he has the money to fly anywhere , anytime in the world to find sunny weather and vacation. He can afford multiple homes anywhere where in the world and buy a plane to take him there... If he is doing his job, he won't have time to worry about OUTSIDE weather ,sheessethat for the Pats to worry about.

And if WEATHER is all that dang important , why are n't people breaking down the doors to play in Orlando , Atlanta or NC or NO for that matter ?

I guess we'll have to wait see what his priorities are?  

[prov1ml34]

But in all honestly, how could he think different? You listen to the media and all Boston is is an "old team" whose window is probably shut. Paul visits Boston, what, once a year? Probably hasn't taken the time to realize what a great organization it is, what a great players coach Doc is, etc.

The mainstream media doesn't portray Boston the city or the organization in that light so he doesn't know any different.

I am with Danny and think that once he gets here, Danny, Doc, the Big Three, etc. can convince him to stay

[dtrader]

But in all honestly, how could he think different? You listen to the media and all Boston is is an "old team" whose window is probably shut. Paul visits Boston, what, once a year? Probably hasn't taken the time to realize what a great organization it is, what a great players coach Doc is, etc.

The mainstream media doesn't portray Boston the city or the organization in that light so he doesn't know any different.

I am with Danny and think that once he gets here, Danny, Doc, the Big Three, etc. can convince him to stay

I'm sorry, but it's not the media.  I'm from Massachusetts, and now I live in Jersey.  I go out in NY every week.  Boston doesnt come anywhere near comparing to NYC in terms of things to do or night life.  And thats just to me...I can only imagine how big the gap would be if I was a celebrity, and had that social circle in NY.

Also..our team IS old.  I dont even see how thats debatable.  The window has been shuting for two years.  If it wasnt, this trade wouldnt even be brought up.  We can talk about the cap space all day, but thats not a guaratee.  The pistons had a ton of cap space too after their title runs...where are they now?

And weather matters...yes, he has the $ to fly somewhere warm, but he also has the option to live/work/play somewhere warm.  Why settle for vacationing in the sun when you can choose to live there just as easily.

I think most of the posters on here are in too much of a different place in their own lives (more blue collar, older, used to living in colder weather), to relate to CP.  I'm certainly not in his position, but I can easily see where he's coming from. 

[celticinorlando]

i know what danny's plan is: get paul..clear space...make a run at howard with all the cap space in 2012..problem is all of these young bucks just don't see the Cs like the other teams..which is a shame

[Evantime34]

i know what danny's plan is: get paul..clear space...make a run at howard with all the cap space in 2012..problem is all of these young bucks just don't see the Cs like the other teams..which is a shame

Winning changes all that, I don't see Paul leaving a team that takes him deeper into the playoffs than he's ever been.

[Moreover]

When has a NBA player left money on the table because in some other city the sushi restaurants, the ballet corps and the night clubs are much more fun?

Can someone name that guy?

That never happens, it's a media created fantasy.

Players care about money first, second and third. Chances of winning fourth.

[Marcus13]

That's the position were back to.  Most free agents are going to look at us this way until we can land a star via trade.  I still say you make the deal for Paul and you have til the trade deadline to bring someone else in that will keep him here.