Chris Paul Trade: The Implications of the New York Knicks (Possibly) Signing Tyson Chandler

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 2:55 PM CST in News

Though the Golden State Warriors were at one point assumed to be close to signing free agent center Tyson Chandler, according to various reporters, the New York Knicks are instead on the verge of making the acquisition instead. Chandler, rumored to be linked to Chris Paul's future as well, going to New York would have huge implications on the Hornets' potential trades of Paul.

It's very important to note that Chris Paul going to New York as a free agent in 2012 was the underlying subtext to almost every trade negotiation the Hornets have had thus far. Both the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers have been hesitant to put their best deals (involving Steph Curry and Eric Gordon or Minnesota's unprotected 2012 draft choice) on the table due to their respective fears that Paul would bolt to New York next year. The Boston Celtics are also reportedly scared of this possibility, though that hasn't prevented them from dangling "their guy" Rajon Rondo in every possible trade.

With Chandler reportedly getting close to a 4 year, $58M offer, the most the Knicks could offer Paul in free agency is $6M a year. That's nothing. Even if we assumed that Paul was going to make up some of the initial lost money in endorsements, this would just be ridiculous. This means that the Knicks could now be in the Chris Paul trade hunt (perhaps offering Amar'e Stoudemire). It also means that the Clippers, Celtics, and Warriors could be less wary of Paul bolting in the summer to New York as a free agent.

Another huge developing storyline here? The Clippers agreed to sign Caron Butler to a 3 year, $24M deal today, and if they match a DeAndre Jordan offer, they wouldn't be able to offer Chris Paul a max deal as a free agent next summer.

Basically, the number of teams that Paul likes and that can offer Paul a full max is slowly being whittled down. Dallas can. Boston can. And... we can. Let's not go crazy, but it's something to keep in the very, very back of our collective Hive mind, right next to the fact that Chris Paul wasn't Chris Paul last regular season.

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Comments

What are the options?

Who is available that we even have a chance to sign/trade for that could entice CP to stay with the team?

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:12 PM CST reply actions

Nobody really

It would come down to us somehow signing people next summer I think

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 3:16 PM CST up reply actions

well...

I was hoping we could find suitors for Emeka, and then possibly bring in Chandler, but doesnt look like thats even an option.

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

At this point

A lot of teams would look at getting Emeka as doing us a favor, due to the size of his deal

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

No doubt about that...

It was mostly just well wishing… His contract handcuffs us from doing a lot of things

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe New York offers Dell

Amare. I think it would be easier to get market value for him than Paul

by njennings on Dec 8, 2011 3:22 PM CST reply actions

Getting him and flipping him you mean?

Hmm could be interesting

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

Even then...

What could we bring in with Amare to make this a competitive team?

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

Picks most likely

And young players. I dont think the plan is to be a playoff contender this year. In fact it would benefit the team to get the best draft position possible

by njennings on Dec 8, 2011 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

A 2012 draft loaded with multiple picks for us could be our best option

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

Thats why I felt the Clips had the best trade offer. They have good young talent, and a 1st rd pick that will likely be very high.

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

Man, the current offers are sooo bad :(

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2011 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

Thats what Im hearing...

the clips had, who? Kaman, mo williams, and bledsoe? joke… And surely this rumor about the 3-team with the rockets isnt true. Thats absolute garbage.

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

This is the low-balling period

Demps is probably going to wind up keeping Paul until the trade deadline at this rate, which is when Paul will be at his highest value.

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by 504life on Dec 8, 2011 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

Looks like the offers are getting less talented. I say we hold on to him, and who knows maybe we can make a signing or trade that will improve around him.

by aburton531 on Dec 8, 2011 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

Try Plucking LeMarcus Aldrige from the Blazers! Just A Thought! He’s The Real Deal.

by Ralph sw on Dec 8, 2011 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

If I puke any more over these offers

…I am going to become anorexic

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Dec 8, 2011 4:07 PM CST reply actions

WojYahooNBA: The Hornets are near a deal to send Chris Paul to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, league source tells Y! Sports. [via Twitter]

by njennings on Dec 8, 2011 5:03 PM CST up reply actions