Rich Bucher reports for ESPN that despite earlier claims to the contrary, Chris Paul doesn't want to "force" the Hornets into dealing him to New York. H/T to @tH reader GrandTanyonSturtze for the original FanShot. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris Paul may love the idea of playing with good friend Carmelo Anthony in New York, but a source familiar with Paul's thinking said the New Orleans Hornets point guard knows being dealt to the Knicks is not a realistic possibility. "He has not asked for a trade to the Knicks because he knows the Knicks don't have anything to offer," the source said. "He wouldn't insult the Hornets by doing that." If Paul leaves the Hornets, the source said, he would want the team to be content with the assets it receives in return. Paul indeed has gone out of his way to pay respect to New Orleans and the Hornets' organization by refusing to give any credence to persistent speculation that he is looking to go elsewhere. -------------------------------------------------------------------- It's unclear whether this means he'd be willing to be traded to other, non-New York teams or if he'd simply be willing to take an enormous paycut and signs with the Knicks as a free agent.