[ESPN] Hornets may deal Chris Paul before the season, Rockets in the mix

The risk you run is having no Chris Paul, no Kyle Lowry, no picks in 2012 and a 2012-13 season with a bunch of young role players ahead of you.

I understand that some of you want to tank or at least not continue to stay mediocre, but the whole argument that you lose nothing by trading Lowry and other assets, because then you 'at least can start over' is crazy to me.

 

Lowry is a very nice player, but he is not in Chris Paul's class.....

You have to give something to get something....

DD

 

What about their playoffs stats?

Ok fine, NOH 10th in defense. Houston, 19th.

 

This is Bosh, Carmelo...all over again

wont happen...

 

If they need to send more salary I hope it's Okafor. Then we can flip him.

 

I hate the idea of trading for a player that really wants to be somewhere else. Renting a player when your so far from a championship anyways just makes little sense to me.

 

Good post. I would add that Houston could make the 1st round pick in 2013 (or later) so they could sell it as a potential lottery pick. New Orleans knows the gamble we'd be taking. Thats got to be more than any offer they will receive (except maybe a Rondo package).

 

Like I said in my last post this whole scenario is based on what-ifs but my biggest concern is the bolded area.

Lets say we trade for Paul and he resigns with us for 5 yrs 70 Mil. Think about the disaster if either of these happen:

1. Paul gets hurt / regresses
2. Howard signs somewhere else

If Howard chooses to go somewhere else there is no way we contend for anything with just Chris Paul. The hornets couldn't do it with David West, we can't do it with whoever our #2 would be (Scola, Martin, Patterson).

If Paul gets hurt which is a legit concern given his past, the franchise is crippled for half a decade.

I'm all for going all in, just not on a player with an injury history like Pauls. Nor do I think its a good idea when the upgrade we getting at the position is minute. Add in the cost of that upgrade, and I just do see it as the right play.

Forcing things is never a good idea. If the situation isn't right, you keep the status quo. An opportunity will become available eventually.

-James

 

So we are gambling for a gamble?

If we do get Chris Paul we aren't guaranteed that he'll play here, we're also not guaranteed that he could lure Dwight Howard.

If we get Chris Paul, but Dwight isn't going to play with him, and Chris Paul leaves, we'd be in a terrible position for the next 5 years.

 

If the trade makes the team better you do it...period.

DD

 

What games should they get caught up in?

The Dalembert game?

They need to be involved with superstar trade talks or might as well contract the NBA.

 

I wonder what NO would want in return for CP.

The thing is, they'd be rebuilding so would a good veteran player like Martin or Scola be of much use. Young guys like Lowry or Patterson and draft picks would be more attractive if I were them.

 

If this goes down, we could have a completely different looking roster this year...who knows who will be here and who won't......

Wow.

DD

 

And to think just 2 weeks ago we were discussing losing 1 or even 2 seasons?

My how quickly things can change....

 

Whatever happens I hope morris stays. I think he is gonna be a critical player for the rockets.

 

If it goes down trade scola, he's older. Between Cp3, Martin and hopefully Lee we might be able to attract Dwight Howard.

 

Give up our whole team for him and Dwight sign Nene. Play 3 on 5 rest of season.

 

Lowry is a very good young point guard with upside on a "cheap" long term deal. Martin averaged over 23 points per game last season, has been healthy, and is almost a legend now for his ability to get to the line, and make them when he does. They could sell that package to the fans, I think, plus they get the future first. It's a hell of a lot better than simply losing him and a better deal than a lot of teams could offer, in my opinion. Personally, I think that's enough.

 

The thing is, maybe the best thing for them is to just get horrible and land a couple other high 1st round picks themselves (i.e. the Seattle/OKC rebuilding plan). A team with Lowry and Martin, plus guys like Okafor and Ariza would probably win 40+ games, which may not be where they want to go with that team (which the NBA hopes to sell). I'm guessing that if they accept a good young vet like Lowry or Martin, they'd flip them for draft picks.