At the Hive: Potential Chris Paul Destinations
I've corrected AtH's assessment of the rumored Bobcats trade for CP3 in the comments, so please don't rush them with that. However, it's well worth skimming through to see what other SBN fan bases have been speculating their teams could do to get Paul.
about 1 month ago
David A. Arnott
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I'm actually thinking of ignoring the NBA for a week or so...I keep getting so worked up that something is going to happen...then when it doesn't
Crash to Earth…
I’m an impatient person when it comes to things like this. I just want the team to be set so plans for the season can be made.
Will I be able to stay away for a week? Doubtful
A few days? Doubtful
Can I stop for more than an hour? I’m working on it…
by andrewlail76 on Jul 23, 2010 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i totally agree. i just want something to happen immediately. i dont wanna wait for the meeting on monday. i just want something to happen good or bad so we can keep on moving
I feel that after Monday's meeting...
resolve will come within the week…
THe Hornets aren’t going to slit their own throats and not be able to do anything and have to scramble to scrape something together…
Same token…
I’m sick and tired of speculation…
Let’s get it over with
Like a band aid…whip it off quick like
by andrewlail76 on Jul 23, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
This confirms to me that we are the most likely destination.
Us, Orlando, or Portland.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 23, 2010 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
And his destination will be the one that gets the most for the Hornets...
Cap relief and some talent
by andrewlail76 on Jul 23, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
But I think we need to be specific about it being young talent. I don’t think they are going to move on the Vince Carter deal because he would take away from Thornton’s development, but if they are willing to try him and SF for the year, then that may be the best way to keep them a somewhat decent team while rebuilding. But, I honestly think that Damp’s contract is what’s going to win it for us. That, and a willingness to take back Okafor. I’m not sure Orlando or Portland are willing to do it.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 23, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmmm
Lets hope for the best. I still think it can hppen, but im not expecting a 3-team
i was going to say that Portland may win, but i doubt theyd take Okafor’s contract.
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 23, 2010 6:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Orlando should be willing to consider taking on Meka's contract
Sure they don’t need another center at that much money, especially after they paid Bass and Gortat all that cash. but Paul makes them so much better. CP3 in O-town means that they don’t fall behind Miami. It means the Eastern conference finals will be played in Florida for the next 2-5 years. It means hell for us, but would be a boon for the Magic. Let’s hope Orlando doesn’t agree with me.
For Orlando to take on Okafor's contract though,
they are going to have to clear up space elsewhere. The Magic really don’t have any attractive players for a trade other than Jameer Nelson, who would take away from D.C.‘s playing time and commands too much of a salary to be a sixth man. Their second next valuable piece would be Pietrus. But moving him and Carter together for 23 million coming off the books next year isn’t better that 13 coming off the books immediately and another 12 coming off at the end of the year, which we could offer.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 23, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I understand the Magic have a billionaire owner, but do they really want to be $40 million or more into luxury?
Orlando seems to be the ‘sexy’ choice for Paul, but why would that happen?
1. Was PG really why Orlando failed vs. Boston? No… Jameer Nelson is definitely a top tier PG in his own right, their failings came at the 4 and in their overall toughness.
2. What can they offer? Orlando have lost their most tradeable assets prior to this CP3 scenario. Why the hell would Orlando want Vince Carter and his overblown contract? Why do you want $17 million you have to pay now?
Unless I completely misunderstand what New Orleans are looking for, I don’t see anyone short of Dwight Howard that the Hornets would want.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
i agree
i think that Portland may be the top contender in the CP3 sweepstakes, and i really just dont want New York to get him.
i do believe that we are the best prepared team to make a reasonable trade (Damp’s contract, soft contracts, and willingness to take on Okafor) for CP3.
Orlando really has no business in wanting CP3. if anything, they would be better off trying to pry Jax from our cold, dead hands.
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 24, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
What tradeable assets has Orlando lost prior to a CP3 deal being done?
Vince Carter’s contract provides plenty of relief after this season (4 million for 18 million off the cap). Nelson, Gortat, Anderson, Bass would all likely be available. 3 team trades would also be a possibility.
After this season
I was told New Orleans balked at getting Tyson Chandler from us because they didnt want to pay a lame duck player $12 million, which is why Dampier was needed.
I phrased it poorly, it’s not that the Magic don’t have assets… its that they don’t have very good ones. Bass and Gortat are both overpaid for what their production is, they don’t have any expiring contracts after VC and I don’t see what a third team would want (short of Nelson or Howard) to help facilitate a deal.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Bass's production is low because Van Gundy doesn
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on Jul 24, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
...doesn't play him enough
Bass is a starting PF in this league. IMHO, the Magic and the Blazers have the best trade assets. I would be surprised to see Paul traded to a team out side of those two.
"I could never be a thug, they don't dress this well." - Malice
by Julius Coxswain on Jul 24, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Why?
Taking on Paul’s contract means Orlando have the highest payroll in the entire NBA.
Do you think the addition of Chris Paul means the difference between an NBA championship for the Magic and not? I sure don’t.
I could understand if PG was Orlando’s achilles heel, but I really don’t see those extra 6 pts and 5 assists being the difference for Orlando. It was Orlando’s depth that was tested and found wanting…. getting CP3 means they lose more depth (by having to trade Gortat, Bass etc.) and I believe become a worse team.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2010 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Orlando's depth is fine.
Just had way too many players who played horribly in the Boston series. Zero production from Matt Barnes, and the entire bench minus JJ Redick. Even Vince/Rashard/Nelson were not great, each had just two games where they were “ok” and the other 4 games they were all pretty bad.
To make it worse
Paul makes about 10 million more than Nelson. If I were Orlando, I’d stay out of this bidding.
Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they're afraid they might get hit by a pass
by Bring Back Primoz on Jul 24, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
i still raise my eyebrows at Orlando on this
they have Nelson. okay, so maybe CP3>Nelson, but why would you ditch your starting PG like that over a seemingly frivolous trade? id compare it to the Okafor/Chandler swap, but that was a money thing.
i think that Nelson is a better fit for Orlando because he is a dy-no-mite 3 point shooter, PLUS, Paul would disrupt Orlando’s “1 in, 4 out” principal offense.
it baffles me really.
the most logical places for CP3 to land (including contract problems) in order (IMO) are:
1) Charlotte
2) New York (i hate this though)
3) Portland
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 24, 2010 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing about obtaining Chris Paul is frivolous for Orlando. He is the best point guard on the planet.
and the Knicks have a lot less of a shot at getting him than Portland does.
disagree
NY has enough money to absorb Okafor’s contract, and they also could throw more cash at NO.
Portland, on the other hand, may be a bit scared to take on Okafor’s contract. however, they do have more to offer talent-wise.
in NO’s case, money is the key. i doubt Shinn (or the next owner) wants to be in the luxury tax, so obtaining expiring contracts or cash is their premiere option.
i was using the term “frivolous” lightly in my Orlando comment, but i stand by it.
yea, CP3 is the 3rd best PG in the league (Nash and Deron Williams), but is he THAT much different than Nelson? the only blatant difference i see between the two is size. CP3 probably has like, 2 inches on him. but other than that, your’e getting the same player.
Nelson and Paul can both run the pick and roll.
Nelson and Paul can both shoot from behind the arc (but i think Nelson is a better shooter)
Nelson and Paul can both put the ball on the floor and take it to the rack.
i say that this move is frivolous because Orlando would be paying more for a name brand product.
but without a doubt, i think anybody is going to take Chris Paul.
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 24, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
They are the same height.
Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league, hands down. The only reason people think Deron Williams is better is because Paul was hurt this season, and Williams was pretty much lights at times in the playoffs. Nash is still a very effective player, but he is incredibly limited on defense. Chris Paul is one of, if not the best defensive point guard in the league (could be Rondo).
Using PER (efficiency rating) is not the end-all-be-all, but here are last season’s numbers. Paul’s numbers are down significantly from the season before due to his lowered playing time and playing while recovering from his injury:
Crhis Paul had a 23.74 PER while posting a true shooting of 58.4%
Deron Williams had a 20.62 PER while posting a true shooting of 57.4%
Steve Nash had a 21.67 PER while posting a true shooting of 61.5%
The year prior, Paul had a PER of 30.04 which was the highest for a point guard since the stat was created.
Not saying I don't want Nelson, but Chris Paul is better at everything in the game except for maybe 3 point shooting, and even then it could be pretty close. 3pt% seems to improve for players in Orlando's system.
Pick and roll with Dwight and CP3 would be nearly unstoppable. This would be the greatest upside for the Orlando offense.
But to (slightly) improve your PG, you would have to get worse at other positions
Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they're afraid they might get hit by a pass
by Bring Back Primoz on Jul 25, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
im saying Williams is better
because of his size and quickness.
also, i dont know how Orlando would use Okafor. his contract is huge and he creates somewhat of a logjam at the F/C position.
as i said, and i stand by this, Nelson and Paul are virturally the same player—barring defense and 3 point shooting.
its like coke and pepsi to me.
--(insert quote, lyric, or joke here)
by StudMuffin15 on Jul 25, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
except for the fact that Paul does everything in the game better than Nelson, they are exactly the same.
I am a fan of Jameer Nelson, but Chris Paul is just better.
I think there is alot of difference
Paul at 175lbs and Jameer at 190lbs, both 6’0" so physcally similar.
Stats wise Paul averages alot more steals per game (0.7 for Jameer, 2.4 for Paul pg last year) and assists (5.4 for Jameer, 10.7 for Paul pg last year).
I’ll ignore the points per game averages, the shooting % are basically the same and i’ll ignore rebounds per game (seeing as with Dwight on the team its going to affect Jameers ability to get rebounds).
I think the fundamental difference is the way Paul can read the game – it’s superior to Jameer. Not saying that Jameer isn’t good, he is but Paul is exceptional at this. He makes other people much better by making the game easy.
The question is can Orlando afford to spend twice as much this year (7.6 mil compared to 14.9 mil), and the difference gets bigger to 17.7mil in 2012-13 to 7.6 mil).
For CP3?
Gortat – Overrated and now overpaid
Carter – Very little left in the tank
Anderson? – ok?
Bass – Maybe…
For CP3?
And NO is looking to reduce salaries…
What about Okafor…you absorbing him too?
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Gortat is hardly overrated. He posts similar rebounding percentages as Dwight Howard, and is not a terrible offensive player. He is also a pretty good defender, in both man to man and pick and roll situations.
Overpaid for sure
Overrated only becuase he hasn’t had the ability to earn his money by starting / playing the minutes that are required for what he is getting paid.
If you come in after Dwight Howard has beat the hell out of the other teams starting Center...
You’d look pretty decent too.
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
You would...
You could score over Diop
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe..
I usually get all my points in the paint → streaky 3 point shooter and about the same for my jump shot. At one stage a few years ago my mate who is Knicks fan started calling me Chris Dudey because I had about a year long run where I just couldn’t hit a free throw.
So you would rather have him on teh floor than Dwight Howard?
He doesn’t get minutes because he plays behind the best center in the league. Yes he is overpaid as a backup center, but they likely paid that contract in order to be able to trade him at some point.
So wouldn't you think that Otis Smith might possibly talk him up in an interview...
to also increase his trade value?
Like Raymond Felton had umpteen teams after him and he had a 1 hour press conference to announce he was going to New York…Oh…wait…only the going to new york part happened
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
So 2 starting Centers?
How will that work out?
Kind of a high priced bench…
But I guess they’re printing money down in Orlando…
Hey, we could be your 3rd team in the deal…you guys want Diop? He’s a great Uno player, and he can get some rebounds and block some shots too…
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
They would be a very janky team after that, but it could work.
Paul, Pietrus, Lewis, Okafor, Howard as your starting line-up. I mean, like I said, it could work, but I think that squad would throw Orlando’s playing style all out of wack.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Jul 25, 2010 5:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Gortat is overrated and overpaid. The announcers drool over him. Not too many teams would want Carter, also overpaid.
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 25, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Semi-expiring...
so is Diop, Nazr, Diaw…
THey are all semi expiring..meaning that their contract will eventually expire
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Jameer, Lewis, Carter, Howard, Pietrus?
I see the $$$ but I don’t see but 2 desirable players
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
That was my question
Becuase N.O is going to want young talent and good first round picks. Orlando doesn’t have that.
by Warmec on Jul 25, 2010 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gortat is a good young player, as is Ryan Anderson or Brandon Bass. Orlando would also likely trade Jameer Nelson – if not to New Orleans, then a third team could be involved. Vince Carter gives them a years worth of decent production while being an 18 million dollar expiring contract (that costs 4 million after the season).
Gortat = good backup center
Ryan Anderson – decent bench guy
Bass- Could be something there…
Carter – if NO is losing, he’ll be injured…I GUARANTEE IT
Nelson – A Starting PG///
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Nah...
It’s more fun to just rattle your cage
;-)
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just guessing...
Minnesota
Charlotte
Cleveland
Golden State
Washington
Detroit
Philly
Portland
Sacremento
Toronto
Utah
Indiana
New Jersey
Milwaukee
Boston
New Orleans
Atlanta – So Hortford could play PF
Dallas
by andrewlail76 on Jul 25, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
We offered Diop for Gortat
Did that count as a contact?
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 25, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Ryan Anderson has also only played two seasons in the league.
He will be a solid player in the league. He plays decent defense, not necessarily the strongest power forward, but he is mobile, and he can shoot the hell out of the ball.
dont forget
this is coming from the eternally wise Chris Brousard…who reported that Lebron was going to each of the teams other than miami….until the morning of “the decision”
I dont think it really matters what CP wants or what Broussard is saying. The team in NO will trade him to the team that offers them whatever it is they desire most be it cap room, players, or whatever. That doesnt make us the favorites by any means, but in my opinion NO has all the power here, not CP.
by kittylover on Jul 23, 2010 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Paul demanding a trade is the best thing that could happen to the Bobcats (short of consumating last week's trade)
With Dampier the Charlotte Bobcats can now play the role of the most valuable 3rd wheel in the NBA, even if we can’t land Paul ourselves.
There are dozens of potential opportunities for the Bobcats to play facilitator to any number of teams with valuable pieces. Either the Bobcats land Paul, which is awesome, or we help another team and get valuable, useful pieces from both New Orleans and another team.
The question now becomes, who could we get if we help a 3rd team get Paul while we’re willing to take Emeka Okafor.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 23, 2010 10:29 PM EDT reply actions
Exactly what I’ve been thinking. I just hope we don’t fill our voids with decent-talent-bad-contract players.
by L'O on Jul 24, 2010 3:30 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Would we really want to help a division rival (Magic) land CP even if we did somewhat improve? If we can help facilitate a CP deal to someone else without getting atleast 1 starter i would be extremely disappointed. I would only want Okafor back if we could make Diop go away. Thats a whole lotta cash tied up in a couple of unproductive C’s. I would rather try and pry Oden and Bayless from POR by sending them pieces to acquire CP and Okafor. That way we potentially gain 2 starters and i dont think it would cost us any core players to make it happen. It also keeps CP away from a division rival.
If we get Dwight Howard, we may consider letting Orlando have Chris Paul
I’d rather have CP3 that superman the foul machine
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 23, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't believe we have a snowball's chance in hell of getting Howard.
But for just a minute it sure feels nice to close my eyes and imagine what it would be like to have that kind of young and almost limitless talent on our team. Okay, make that an hour or so.
I like the cut of your jib mister. You dream good!
My sources can beat up your sources
by Ourdaywillcome on Jul 24, 2010 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions
It depends what we would get
If it meant that somehow Jameer Nelson became a Charlotte Bobcat, then yes… absolutely.
I’ve never been a fan of trying to get better by preventing others to do the same and waiting for them to fall. All Charlotte can do is keep their own council and try to improve themselves, however possible. If we worry too much what others are doing then we’re playing for them, not for us.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 23, 2010 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree - you can only focus on controlling what you can control.
We can’t worry about what others are doing, only focus on gettng better ourselves.
If we could get 2 starters, such as Okafor and Nelson, than yessir. I just feel like we have some pretty nice play pieces. Enough to get a couple of very good players if played right. That, i guess, is what scares me. The whole “playing it right” thing. If we can help someone other than Orl land CP, while gaining a couple potential starters, then i say thats a great play by the FO. Double whammy. But , if we helped Orl land CP without sufficient improvment on our own, well, thats my nightmare.
I like that trade
And we still have Dampiers contract to trade for a legit 6th man off the bench or cut him and save $.
Damn straight
With Nelson at PG and Mek at C then I can justify the Ben Gordon and Chris Wilcox trade backup plan I heard of
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2010 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That was the one I heard about
From the Pistons
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 24, 2010 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions
This would work with a first round pick to Charlotte
By dumping the Diop and Nazr contracts, the Bobcats could take on more salary and move Dampier straight up for a talented player.
I think the Bobcats need to just take CP3 in the deal, but if we can’t there are options.
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Jul 24, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
ESPN is now mentioning the Bobcats as a possible CP3 destination.
I think this is the first time we’ve actually come up. When you think about it that in itself says something about Jordan since he’s kept it on the down low for this long. ESPN even mentions the willingness to take back Okafor’s contract.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5405528
My sources can beat up your sources
I think we can put together a pretty good package of players and cap relief in an offer to N.O.. At the very least i could see us being the 3rd wheel in helping another team acquire CP. I won’t be happy unless we can get a center and a point guard with the pieces we have to offer. I’ve begun looking at other options around the league and i would love any combination of these players. PG: CP, Ellis, Bayless, or Nelson
C: Okafor or Oden
I know that there are several other options, but i just liike these guys. All are still young and all of these players would fit in with our team.
I also read that Darth Vader robbed a bank in Long Island. Just thought i would share that.
Since CP3 to Orlando seemed to be much of this topic's discussion... see this from FanHouse
The Magic might be on Chris Paul’s wish list, but they don’t sound very confident of landing him in the near future.
Orlando isn’t convinced that New Orleans will be forced into trading Paul and they aren’t keen on taking on the contract of center Emeka Okafor.
“Much ado about nothing,” is how Magic coach Stan Van Gundy Saturday described the reports of his team being linked to Paul.
“We are only involved in this story because someone said he wants to be traded and someone said he wants to come to Orlando,” Van Gundy told FanHouse Sunday. “It’s a New Orleans and Chris Paul story.”
Magic general manager Otis Smith dismissed the reports as “rumors.”
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Jul 25, 2010 11:22 PM EDT reply actions
Orlando or New York being involved really doesn't make sense
Fans never fall asleep at our games, because they're afraid they might get hit by a pass
by Bring Back Primoz on Jul 26, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
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