If true and not a ploy by the Hornets, it sounds more realistic than "the Lakers pulled out," as earlier reports suggested. The Lakers backing out made no sense. It was obvious that we didn't have enough information because the Rockets were giving the Hornets everything they needed for Paul and didn't need the Lakers, assuming Houston still wants Paul. Either the Lakers were giving up a key piece or the Rockets were 100% convinced they couldn't keep Paul (or he'd be miserable here). We're missing some info.
AlexKennedyNBA Alex Kennedy Source says that the Lakers and Hornets had agreed to a deal involving Chris Paul, but the Lakers reneged. "Dell [Demps] is very upset."
stevekylerNBA Steve Kyler Sources close to process say Houston and Lakers constructed CP3 deal. Hornets were never really involved. Hornets had talked only with LA
Hey its worth a shot. I dont see his whole plan. I assume Pau Gasol is only the first of his moves should he pull it off.
stevekylerNBA Steve Kyler Here is whats was said... New Orleans & Lakers apparently had frame work of deal or at least so NOLA thought... Lakers reportedly backed out
Probably not. But a stud rookie can be good for the next 12 years, while we get Gasol for four declining seasons at max. Gasol also keep us right where we are - a 43-win team with no way to get better. Tanking for a couple seasons gives us a chance to draft more impact players. We'd be more likely to eventually contend if we pass on this deal and trade Scola and Martin for picks and prospects.
I think the Lakers got greedy, really greedy and tried to lowball the Rockets into taking Odom instead of Gasol, or the Lakers backed off of sending the picks(which would explain why everyone thought Houston was sending the picks) I think now the Lakers are trying to play hardball to keep Gasol and Bynum and Demps is pissed because he didn't complete the deal. Hopefully, this bites LA in the ass and NO refuses to trade with them.
stevekylerNBA Steve Kyler Lakers approached Houston with a different deal... without New Orleans involvement... Hornets heard of the deal same way you did..
WHATA HELL IS GOING ON? I keep on reading your guys posts, reports from around the league, and I am so lost. Where is south if you don't mind me asking?
This has Morey/McHale and Boston written all over it. There is no player in the league today more like McHale in their game than Gasol. Long, with all those twisty moves and lunges at the bucket. Morey came from Boston. Celtics were a championship team built on two dominant 7-footers (Parish/McHale), one superstar (Bird) and very good role players (DJ/Ainge). The overwhelming majority of championship teams throughout the history of the NBA had 2 dominant bigs. Go back and look at it. If we are actually helping CP3 get to Lakers by taking on Gasol, then it has to be the plan, to build like the Celtics. But with one twist, having enough assets and contracts left over to offer up a great for the Nets when DWill decides he does not want to play there. We will be able to send the Nets Lowry, a pick or two, some other young talent and an expiring or two, maybe even a good vet player. Now think about that deal. DWill Lee Morris Nene Gasol with possibly Motiejunas coming off the bench??? Or possibly Thabeet developing along with Motiejunas off the bench as your backup big combo??? Plenty of fouls to throw around to all those little Chris Pauls running into the paint. Plenty of pain to dish out. Plenty of easy hoops at the rim with all those long arms. Sounds like old Celtic basketball to me.
why cant Morey do this deal for the top draft pick? I mean Scola and Martin and Gasol would all be close to worth the top draft pick. We could packaghe this deal for one of the top picks in the draft. Get our star there for more years.
stevekylerNBA Steve Kyler Needless to say... Hornets not making the deal being reported... still talking, no clear cut frontrunner... Gotta love rumor season.
guys teams around the league are worried the deal might happen... hence trepedation.... they will try to stop it ala celtics. and all these reports refute one another. all i can say is that a deal had been agreed upon from the source but the lakers need time to think this over.
Maybe Paul said he didn't want to sign an extension in LA and that did. Or maybe the Hornets wanted Gasol or Bynum instead of Scola or Martin or whomever.
100% Disagree Pau Gasol is not a top 15 player. Not now, and certainly not in the future. He played with Kobe and a full roster of talent which led to iso situations and easy buckets. But what happened whenever Bynum was out and Gasol had to D up? He disappeared. Gasol maybe one of the better complimentary players in the league but he is not a centerpiece. He is a skills player, we have enough of those. We need a true center or a superstar or GTFO with this trade. Lose picks and our most productive players for a PF who cannot create his own shot. Again, great complimentary guy but build your team around him? What like Memphis tried to do?? I'm sorry but no.
