CP3 wants out, Bobcats not on his " list"

[cbarrier90]

You are correct. Although all season long there's been speculation CP3 wouldnt be in NO that long. And anyone who grew up following the Hornets and George Shinn, knew that would be the case anyway. Thats one owner that cant keep his star players happy for nothing. Lol. But anyways, I think what we're seeing is a reaction to the past 2 years of people and fans telling these guys that "ONLY CHAMPIONSHIPS MATTER". That "if you dont win a title, then you've accomplished nothing" philosophy is driving guys to click up with each other. These guys have seen what winning can do to your legacy and probably get tired of busting their asses for small market franchises with so so front offices only to come up short time and time again. Meanwhile players in bigger markets with better front offices might not perform as good, but get more love because they win. These guys see that, so what you're gonna see the next few years is superstars giving up on the "1 star and 4 bums" model we've seen the past 15 years and opting to join up with other superstars to create more talented teams. I expect Cp3 to land in NY, with Melo tagging along down the road. That would create a new Knicks-Heat rivalry (like in the late 90s) that could be marketed very well in the league.

This is all so sad, yet so true.

What is most worrysome IMO is that most of this stuff is not the players doing, but agencies like the CAA who almost force players into these larger markets. Soon the NBA will become America's version of the English Premier League, where a "Big Four" are the only teams with a remote shot at a title while the rest are left to feast on the scraps.

I really want to be a true fan of the NBA, but it's rooting for crap like this that makes it so difficult.

[Eazy-E]

That list of teams are just teams that make sense to market a player on a large national stage. Although Paul him self may have said I would like to play there, I don't think that is his real list of preferred teams. All of those teams have nothing of value to offer the Hornets. Might as well add Miami to that list. I am sure he would love to play there as well. I think the media forgets the relationship Paul has with the Carolinas and with Jordan. I think it is more likely that He ends up in Charlotte then any other team in the league. Not because I am a fan, but just because of what we can offer the hornets.

[Kevin Greene]

You are correct. Although all season long there's been speculation CP3 wouldnt be in NO that long. And anyone who grew up following the Hornets and George Shinn, knew that would be the case anyway. Thats one owner that cant keep his star players happy for nothing. Lol. But anyways, I think what we're seeing is a reaction to the past 2 years of people and fans telling these guys that "ONLY CHAMPIONSHIPS MATTER". That "if you dont win a title, then you've accomplished nothing" philosophy is driving guys to click up with each other. These guys have seen what winning can do to your legacy and probably get tired of busting their asses for small market franchises with so so front offices only to come up short time and time again. Meanwhile players in bigger markets with better front offices might not perform as good, but get more love because they win. These guys see that, so what you're gonna see the next few years is superstars giving up on the "1 star and 4 bums" model we've seen the past 15 years and opting to join up with other superstars to create more talented teams. I expect Cp3 to land in NY, with Melo tagging along down the road. That would create a new Knicks-Heat rivalry (like in the late 90s) that could be marketed very well in the league.

Good post but I still don't buy the Big Market//Small Market arguement. In the Lakers ad Clippers you have franchises playing in the same arena, same practice facilites, and the same 4 million person metropolis to play to. But the difference is management. Dr. Jerry Buss is legendary, hiring the best and excelling in all areas with the Lakers. In Donald Sterling you have a bumbling idiot who has made terrible choices in the decision makers on the Clipers. The Clips do have a very good roster filled with some young talent right now, too bad LJ didn't come to LA and try to eclipse the Kobe sun.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

CP3 with Amare and Melo, the only force to stop the Heat year and year.

[EC123]

The problem is Wallace would probably be part of the package deal. I just can't see a situation where the Bobcats acquire CP3 without giving up a guy like him or Jackson.

Only if you believe all of the dumb sh_t that other people have posted saying that Wallace has to be a part of the deal.

NO HE DOESN'T, and if the Hornets refuse to take an offer without Wallace, then f_ck them.

It's not about Wallace or Paul, it's really about Wallace or JACKSON, if you had to part ways with either of the two.

It's much easier to replace what Stephen Jackson does than it is to replace all that Wallace does. Paul alone could replace Jackson's scoring in the backcourt, and you could find a two, probably off of the bench, with a shot as reliable if not better than Jackson's, and Chris Paul could create opportunities for that two guard to get some open shots.

Jackson is much easier to replace than Wallace. You lose Jackson if you have to lose one or the other.

I don't think you do...but I doubt the Hornets want Augustin, even though he's from that area, so they might take him to back up Collison.

[EC123]

That list of teams are just teams that make sense to market a player on a large national stage. Although Paul him self may have said I would like to play there, I don't think that is his real list of preferred teams. All of those teams have nothing of value to offer the Hornets. Might as well add Miami to that list. I am sure he would love to play there as well. I think the media forgets the relationship Paul has with the Carolinas and with Jordan. I think it is more likely that He ends up in Charlotte then any other team in the league. Not because I am a fan, but just because of what we can offer the hornets.

The Knicks have Felton to include as part of a trade with New Orleans. Start there...and then wonder if that was the reason they signed Felton to begin with, when Amare has been promoting Chris Paul to NY since he got there.

[cbarrier90]

I think the media forgets the relationship Paul has with the Carolinas and with Jordan. I think it is more likely that He ends up in Charlotte then any other team in the league. Not because I am a fan, but just because of what we can offer the hornets.

And I'm sure LeBron had a great relationship with the state of Ohio leading up to "The Decision."

[EC123]

And I'm sure LeBron had a great relationship with the state of Ohio leading up to "The Decision."

Chris Paul going to New York would be all about the "MARKET" and the glitz and glamour of the "Big Apple." If they don't get Carmelo, they still won't be major contenders, any more than Phoenix was.

If it was a basketball move, and the Hornets want to dump some contracts, Paul would be in a much better position if his line up was:

Paul

Jackson

Wallace

Thomas

Okafur

But of course, so would LeBron have been if his was:

Rose

*name*

James

Boozer

Noah

[Eazy-E]

Ok NO would not want Raymond if they did they could have just signed him as a free agent. Same thing with Lebron, he was a free agent so he got to choose where he wanted to go. As for his relationship with Ohio, obviously it wasn't that great. And the MJ factor is the biggest part since Paul is team Jordan.

[pantherfan49]

So Chris Paul is basically about to do what LeBron just did, except he's NOT a free agent and is under contract. And yet no one on this board hates him or is saying he has no heart because he's giving up on the franchise that drafted him. No one's questioning his loyalty. Paul (like his contemporaries Bron & Bosh) realized they have no chance of winning on teams like the Hornets, Raptors, and Cavs and are pushing to go to bigger markets that have more $$$ and more visibility. I dont blame him at all, in fact I would encourage all NBA players to go for self and do whats best for them. Because at the end of the day, the fans and the media dont have loyalty to them.

If CP3 has a one hour special on ESPN where he says he is "taking his talents to [insert city name here]" then maybe he can be ridiculed like Lebron.

[RedMage138]

Time for us to call up NY, LA and Orl and see what we can get for Damp and others

[bLACKpANTHER]

Time for us to call up NY, LA and Orl and see what we can get for Damp and others

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=24mukx4

here is a good trade IMO.. Knicks get CP3- New Orleans gets 3 expiring contracts, Charlotte gets an all around better/deeper team..

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2e2m2w8

heres a good trade with LA getting CP3 and we get Bynum..

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2ex39k2

here Orlando gets CP3 and we get West and Nelson

[Murph]

IF the Hornets decide to part ways with Paul, they are going to demand six things (and will probably not settle for any less than 4 of them)

1) Immediate salary relief through either Damp's contract or from a team with a large trade exception (Toronto as a 13 million exception & Golden State has two seperate exceptions totaling 6 million).

2) A team taking on Emeka's contract (maybe Posey's also but that might be asking too much for anybody to stomach)

3) Draft picks

4) A very good young player (or three) to team up with Collison to re-build around.

5) CP3 can not stay in the division and would prefer for him to move to the East.

6) Expiring contracts so they can go after big names in next year's free agent class.

[pantherfan49]

IF the Hornets decide to part ways with Paul, they are going to demand six things (and will probably not settle for any less than 4 of them)

1) Immediate salary relief through either Damp's contract or from a team with a large trade exception (Toronto as a 13 million exception & Golden State has two seperate exceptions totaling 6 million).

2) A team taking on Emeka's contract (maybe Posey's also but that might be asking too much for anybody to stomach)

3) Draft picks

4) A very good young player (or three) to team up with Collison to re-build around.

5) CP3 can not stay in the division and would prefer for him to move to the East.

6) Expiring contracts so they can go after big names in next year's free agent class.

Yep, dead on. FWIW, the Bobs can offer all of that.