From The Big Easy to The Big Apple?
Chris Paul’s agent told the New Orleans Hornets, which is currently owned by the NBA, that he won’t sign an extension to stay in the Big Easy and wants to get traded to the Knicks, according to Yahoo! report.
And as soon as the lockout is over, Hornets general manager Dell Demps wants to meet with Paul and hear him request the trade to the Knicks himself, the report said.
This news might sound great to Knicks fans who have envisioned obtaining a Big 3 of their own since Paul infamously predicted forming a superstar trio at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding last year. But after trading some of their best assets (Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov) to Denver for Anthony, the Knicks simply don’t have anybody worth moving to New Orleans before the season starts.
Their best chance to get Paul would be during free agency in 2012, but that’s if the point guard makes it there.
According to Yahoo!, Paul has also reached out to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, lobbying him to find a way for the pair to wind up together.
It’s unclear if Paul will be in New Orleans after this season’s trading deadline. If he is set on leaving the team that drafted him in 2005, then the Hornets might be better off dealing him and getting something in return.
There is also the question of how David Stern plays in all this. After months of arguing for an agrrement that benefits small markets, it would be tough for the league-owned team to trade a superstar player.
Paul was in New York on Tuesday with Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for a charity event in Brooklyn, but he didn’t discuss his future.
When asked on Thursday if he’s involved in recruiting Paul, Anthony said “I’m not involved in that process,” according to the Daily News.
