Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Gray to New York for Carmelo Anthony, Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Chauncey Billups.

I continue to believe this is the only plausible way in which Paul can land with the Knicks. The nice thing from the Hornets' perspective is they get a centerpiece star, some young-ish assets and a chance to start over in return. While I made this a two-team deal and included Billups, he'd almost certainly be flipped to a third squad for expiring contracts and/or additional assets -- say, for instance, to Indiana for Darren Collison. The Hornets could take their time with that part, though, and hang on to Billups until the trade deadline.

(Random side note: There's one little free-agency tidbit everyone in Gotham seems to be glossing over in the CP mania -- while the Knicks don't have enough projected cap room for Paul or Deron Williams, New York absolutely has enough cap space to sign 2012 free agent and part-time Big Apple resident Steve Nash.)

As for Paul, one presumes he'd still agree to go to New York even without his fellow wedding toastee, Anthony, especially since he could opt out after the season and sign for the full Bird Rights deal of five years, $99 million with his first-choice destination ... and the Knicks would have enough room to sign another free agent to a large (although not a max) contract.
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If this is the only way to get Paul, then i wouldn't even think about it. We have two stars right now we are committed to building around. This wouldn't be a step forward, and you never trade big for small. There will be a ton of available PGs out there, Nash, Augustine, Sessions, etc. Melo or Stat would be much harder to replace. You would have to consider trading Stat for Dwight, but never either of our stars for Paul. We are much better off signing Nash in the off-season, while resigning our current pieces and looking for upgrades in other areas. I honestly believe a core of Anthony, Stoudemire, and Nash with the right supporting cast can win a title within the next couple of years.

Last year we took Felton and he really stepped up once he got in shape and acclimated to the system.

The good teams are the ones that uncover talent or can identify that talent for a system.

I don't know who that is, but its apparent Paul can't come this year or would have to take a big pay cut next summer.

Im ok with that, after all its not my money.

Time to stop stargazing for free agency and do it now.

Howard and paul likely not for us.

We have Billups for this year and Shump to develop.

Knicks need a big!

Nalod wrote:We don't need "Stars" at every position.

Last year we took Felton and he really stepped up once he got in shape and acclimated to the system.

The good teams are the ones that uncover talent or can identify that talent for a system.

I don't know who that is, but its apparent Paul can't come this year or would have to take a big pay cut next summer.

Im ok with that, after all its not my money.

Time to stop stargazing for free agency and do it now.

Howard and paul likely not for us.

We have Billups for this year and Shump to develop.

Knicks need a big!

This is the way to go. Go Big.

martin wrote:

Per Hollinger ESPN article:

Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Gray to New York for Carmelo Anthony, Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Chauncey Billups.

Why even write an article like this? Trade melo for CP3? Is his brain made of jello?

Shane Battier
Grant Hill
Prince
Wilson Chandler

some lower of extents players like

Anthony Parker
Redd
Peja
Kapono
Dunleavy
Shannon Brown
Brandon Wright

Basically I would like to add 3 of these players if we can't resign Shawnne Williams at a good price. If we resign Shawnee Williams 2 of these players would be fine, while I still dont mind adding 3 addition of players, if Williams resigns. With 2 players being 2way players in defense and 3 point shooting to help spread out the floor. And one being a deadly 3 point shooter. We have to look who drops and is willing to take cheap deals. I do realize Shane Battier and Wilson Chandler will cost the full MLE, but we can only afford to give them a 1 year deal, in which I don't know would be enough.

Of course our greatest need is at Center.

if we decide to use the MLE for one year

Samuel Dalembert
Kris Humphries

are the only 2 I would consider and it probably aren't realistic options because 1 year isn't enough to attract them either.

1 year MLE
1.9 biannual exception
1.4 veteran exception

Does anyone know, if all these 3 exceptions, can be used for only 1 contracts?

and the rest are going to have to be minimum contracts.

Sean Williams
Joel Prizbilla

are probably the 2 best shot blocking centers that the Knick's have a legit chance of acquiring.

Aaron Gray
Josh McRoberts
Josh Boone
Greg Foster
Fesenko
Kurt Thomas
Ratliff
Magloire
Dampier

I would like to add at least 2 of these centers, with one being able to play PF/C. I don't mind adding 3 either. I want at least 1 shot blocking center.

Well, lets see if Amare, Melo, and New York can actually attract players to come at deals or if we are just being used by players as usual to get a contract.

CrushAlot wrote:It is a bizarre article. Maybe he is just trying to point out the ridiculousness of even speculating that the Knicks could get Paul in a trade. Also, isn't Nash turning 38 soon? I know he is a nutrition freak and takes care of himself but 38 is very old for a starting point guard.

Olbrannon wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

martin wrote:

Per Hollinger ESPN article:

Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza and Aaron Gray to New York for Carmelo Anthony, Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Chauncey Billups.

Why even write an article like this? Trade melo for CP3? Is his brain made of jello?

It has to be. Trading Melo and some young parts is just dumb. I would rather have him say there is no realistic trade to be made, or just elaborate on why Nash is a better option, which i think he was alluding to.

You say so but I'd trade Melo and change for Howard and picks or some such even with his reluctance. If you bring PE along as his coach he'd be interested in it I'd hope. And you could certainly trade Billups with him for Arenas amnesty him or trade straight up to NO. There are ways it can be done if you are willing to move anyone on the roster to make them better in the end.

Trick is- who is in and who is out? Does Stat really need to prove to IT he still has it? Is TD a piece to hang on to with 2 healthy shoulders? Is Shumpert really the second coming of Tyreke Evans?
Will JJ learn to make a layup? Can Landry Fields find his basketball zen on the same court as Anthony?

Tune in for answers to this and more in this inspired version of 'As the World Turns'

Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick.

This is the best deal on the board for the Hornets, allowing New Orleans to dump all their contracts, get a likely high lottery pick and add a young building block center and a developing point guard. As with the Howard deal above, New Orleans will lobby for Gordon and the Clips will resist. Also, as with the one above, Jordan would have to agree to a sign-and-trade.

But the real problem for the Hornets is that this deal is only second in the Clippers' hierarchy, and while in their fantasy world they would get Paul and Howard, back on this planet they almost certainly only have the goods to do one or the other. That means the Clips will only pursue this deal for Paul if Howard is off the table.

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Chris Paul to Oklahoma City for Russell Westbrook.

Not happening. Move along. Nothing to see here.

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Source: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7304119/nba-chris-paul-dwight-howard-trade-scenarios

Clippers lineup would be:

Okafor
Griffin
Ariza
Gordon
Paul

Would Paul leave 20+ million on the table to come to NY instead of playing in LA with Griffin?

Thunder lineup would be:

Perkins
Ibaka
Durant
Harden
Paul

Would Paul leave 20+ million on the table to come to NY instead of playing in OKC with Durant?

Top flight PG's usually don't reach free agency for a reason.