*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (6 Viewers)

[Walton Goggins]

Celtics could be a darkhorse in this. Unlike the rest of the teams in the mix, they can offer a great young player in return (Rondo). Because Rasheed Wallace is so unselfish, he could be an asset to get a deal done, as it's essentially a waivable contract.

Could the Celts also take on Okafor's contract? I am pretty sure NO will want him included in any deal.

 

[Abraham]

Celtics could be a darkhorse in this. Unlike the rest of the teams in the mix, they can offer a great young player in return (Rondo). Because Rasheed Wallace is so unselfish, he could be an asset to get a deal done, as it's essentially a waivable contract.

That would absolutrly work What would bostons cap space look like?

 

[Juxtatarot]

I really doubt Paul will be moved. Remember, Kobe was apparently never going to play another game for the Lakers a few years ago.

 

[Balco]

Battier and jeffries are expiring. Houston has the knicks pick next year. If the hornets want cap relief, multiple high picks and young players with reasonable contacts then houston has the best mix too offer. LAUGH if you want, but nobody is giving up a superstar for paul.

True. If NO can get a superstar or young up and coming stud back then it's a no brainer. I don't see that happening so then NO has to do what makes best sense in the long run for their team. Extra draft picks and contracts that will expire sooner rather than later. I will be shocked if Morey isn't in the mix of things.

I don't think they will get an established "superstar" (there aren't too many in the league). But they should absolutely be able to get a young all star caliber player. I am really starting to like Dallas in all of this.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Not even looking at the money, houston could offer brooks, ariza, jeffries, and teo firsts for paul and emeka.

Also Bat's contract would be attractive since I think he's got one year left before it's off the books. Scola could also be in the trade mix.

Might want to check that again....no FA that just signed can be traded before December.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Battier and jeffries are expiring. Houston has the knicks pick next year. If the hornets want cap relief, multiple high picks and young players with reasonable contacts then houston has the best mix too offer. LAUGH if you want, but nobody is giving up a superstar for paul.

True. If NO can get a superstar or young up and coming stud back then it's a no brainer. I don't see that happening so then NO has to do what makes best sense in the long run for their team. Extra draft picks and contracts that will expire sooner rather than later. I will be shocked if Morey isn't in the mix of things.

I don't think they will get an established "superstar" (there aren't too many in the league). But they should absolutely be able to get a young all star caliber player. I am really starting to like Dallas in all of this.

What young all star caliber player would Dallas have/give up? Also could they absorb Okafor's contract?

 

[Walton Goggins]

Not even looking at the money, houston could offer brooks, ariza, jeffries, and teo firsts for paul and emeka.

Also Bat's contract would be attractive since I think he's got one year left before it's off the books. Scola could also be in the trade mix.

Might want to check that again....no FA that just signed can be traded before December.

NO could wait until mid season to deal him.

 

[pollardsvision]

Celtics could be a darkhorse in this. Unlike the rest of the teams in the mix, they can offer a great young player in return (Rondo). Because Rasheed Wallace is so unselfish, he could be an asset to get a deal done, as it's essentially a waivable contract.

Could the Celts also take on Okafor's contract? I am pretty sure NO will want him included in any deal.

A straight Rondo/'Sheed for Paul/Okafor would require the Celtics to find a way to throw in another $12-13 million, so I don't see how they would be able to make it work for Okafor as well.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Battier and jeffries are expiring. Houston has the knicks pick next year. If the hornets want cap relief, multiple high picks and young players with reasonable contacts then houston has the best mix too offer. LAUGH if you want, but nobody is giving up a superstar for paul.

Ha ha

 

[TommyGilmore]

How about Dallas?Tyson Chandler's expiring contract, Rodrigue Beaubois (although a Collison Beaubois backcourt is ridiculously small), and Shawn Marion for Okafor and Paul?

Chandler cannot be traded until September 13th. Also, the salaries don't match -- Dallas would have to include another $5.4 million in salary.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

 

[pollardsvision]

I'm sure it's already in here, but here's the ESPN Trade Machine: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Celtics could be a darkhorse in this. Unlike the rest of the teams in the mix, they can offer a great young player in return (Rondo). Because Rasheed Wallace is so unselfish, he could be an asset to get a deal done, as it's essentially a waivable contract.

Would New Orleans want a PG as the main piece back? Collison looked pretty good for them when Paul was out.

 

[Abraham]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

I imagine an extension would be part of the deal although I admittedly don't know how that works in the NBA (like, can he sign an extension right now). I think you are kidding (and trying to draw Goggins in for some fun) but I'll respond anyway. Brooks is a good PG and he is very good in Houston, particularly with Lowry being a great complement to his style. But Paul is one of the three or four best PGs in the league (depending on your wants from the position) so he's certainly worth exploring a trade for if the price is right.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Caron Butler ($10.5M expiring)

Jason Terry ($10.6M through 2011)

Rodrigue Beaubois ($1.1M)

Pick(s)?

for

Paul/Okafor

That any better?

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

I imagine an extension would be part of the deal although I admittedly don't know how that works in the NBA (like, can he sign an extension right now). I think you are kidding (and trying to draw Goggins in for some fun) but I'll respond anyway. Brooks is a good PG and he is very good in Houston, particularly with Lowry being a great complement to his style. But Paul is one of the three or four best PGs in the league (depending on your wants from the position) so he's certainly worth exploring a trade for if the price is right.

So hes going to sign an extension without even seeing Yao Ming back on the court? Its just not realistic.

 

[pollardsvision]

Celtics could be a darkhorse in this. Unlike the rest of the teams in the mix, they can offer a great young player in return (Rondo). Because Rasheed Wallace is so unselfish, he could be an asset to get a deal done, as it's essentially a waivable contract.

Would New Orleans want a PG as the main piece back? Collison looked pretty good for them when Paul was out.

No idea. I'm just tossing out wild speculation.I'd guess, though, that having 2 very good young PGs would be a nice problem to have for the Hornets. They could get some great pieces by trading away either one.

 

[Abraham]

Trade Machine indicates the following would be allowed...

Paul/Okafor

Ariza/Brooks/Battier(expiring)/Jeffries(expiring). Obviously Houston would need to toss in the Knicks pick next year and perhaps another 1st.

So (dreaming of this happening and Yao being healthy), Houston would look like this next season:

PG: Paul / Lowry / Taylor

SG/SF: Martin / Budinger

PF: Scola / Hill / Patterson / Hayes

C: Yao / Miller / Hayes

Pretty thin at SG but they could play "big" with Paul/Martin/Patterson/Scola/Yao on the floor together or go small-ish with Paul/Martin/Budinger/Scola/Miller.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Troy Murphy ($12M expiring)

TJ Ford ($8.5M expiring) or Jeff Foster ($6.7M expiring) or Mike Dunleavy ($10.5M expiring)

Paul George ($2.2M)

1st round Pick

for

Paul/Okafor

New Orleans gets 20M in expiring contracts, a solid player in Murphy that they may want to re-sign. Paul George at the wing and a pick. Indiana is no longer redundant at the SF with Granger/George and gets the legit PG they need.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Richard Jefferson's new contract with the Spurs is worth $38.8 million over four years

:(

 

[TommyGilmore]

Caron Butler ($10.5M expiring)Jason Terry ($10.6M through 2011)Rodrigue Beaubois ($1.1M)Pick(s)?forPaul/OkaforThat any better?

It works for salary purposes, but why would New Orleans make that deal? Butler and Terry are way past their primes, and Beaubois isn't someone you can build around. And in 2 years they'll all be gone anyway.

Troy Murphy ($12M expiring)TJ Ford ($8.5M expiring) or Jeff Foster ($6.7M expiring) or Mike Dunleavy ($10.5M expiring)Paul George ($2.2M)1st round Pickfor Paul/OkaforNew Orleans gets 20M in expiring contracts, a solid player in Murphy that they may want to re-sign. Paul George at the wing and a pick. Indiana is no longer redundant at the SF with Granger/George and gets the legit PG they need.

This one is even worse. You don't trade superstars for "solid players you MAY want to re-sign". :(

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Mcgrady's final four...

Clippers, Lakers, Bulls, Heat

It would be funny if only the Clippers really offered him something.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Caron Butler ($10.5M expiring)Jason Terry ($10.6M through 2011)Rodrigue Beaubois ($1.1M)Pick(s)?forPaul/OkaforThat any better?

It works for salary purposes, but why would New Orleans make that deal? Butler and Terry are way past their primes, and Beaubois isn't someone you can build around.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time finding deals that New Orleans would want. I don't Butler is "way past" his prime. He's 30...still has a few good years left I think. :(

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

This one is even worse. You don't trade superstars for "solid players you MAY want to re-sign".

Just throwing out suggestions there, smart guy. Expiring contracts have some value. Again,

 

[Sammy3469]

Caron Butler ($10.5M expiring)Jason Terry ($10.6M through 2011)Rodrigue Beaubois ($1.1M)Pick(s)?forPaul/OkaforThat any better?

It works for salary purposes, but why would New Orleans make that deal? Butler and Terry are way past their primes, and Beaubois isn't someone you can build around.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time finding deals that New Orleans would want. I don't Butler is "way past" his prime. He's 30...still has a few good years left I think.

The only one they get closeto fair value back is if Boston wants to deal Rondo. Everything else is just fans jerking off.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Caron Butler ($10.5M expiring)Jason Terry ($10.6M through 2011)Rodrigue Beaubois ($1.1M)Pick(s)?forPaul/OkaforThat any better?

It works for salary purposes, but why would New Orleans make that deal? Butler and Terry are way past their primes, and Beaubois isn't someone you can build around.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time finding deals that New Orleans would want. I don't Butler is "way past" his prime. He's 30...still has a few good years left I think.

The only one they get closeto fair value back is if Boston wants to deal Rondo. Everything else is just fans jerking off.

Obviously the best solution is for New Orleans to find a way to make Paul happy. Maybe more hookers?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Westbrook, Harden, Kristic and Collison for Paul and Okafor.

 

[Sammy3469]

Obviously the best solution is for New Orleans to find a way to make Paul happy. Maybe more hookers?

I believe that's the solution to everything.

 

[saintfool]

Richard Jefferson's new contract with the Spurs is worth $38.8 million over four years

yeah, it's kind of a headscratcher. he and manu are going to count like $24mm against the cap in that 20-12-13 season.i don't think Peter Holt has deep enough pockets to go over the cap year after year like Cuban does. I suspect with this signing that the Spurs will be parting ways with Tony Parker this year. I doubt it's midseason but you never know.

 

[Balco]

Westbrook, Harden, Kristic and Collison for Paul and Okafor.

Wow. Now that one makes a ton of sense for the Hornets.Okafor's salary is an albatross, but he is a pretty good defensive player from what I remember.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Trade Machine indicates the following would be allowed...Paul/OkaforAriza/Brooks/Battier(expiring)/Jeffries(expiring). Obviously Houston would need to toss in the Knicks pick next year and perhaps another 1st.So (dreaming of this happening and Yao being healthy), Houston would look like this next seasonG: Paul / Lowry / TaylorSG/SF: Martin / Budinger PF: Scola / Hill / Patterson / HayesC: Yao / Miller / HayesPretty thin at SG but they could play "big" with Paul/Martin/Patterson/Scola/Yao on the floor together or go small-ish with Paul/Martin/Budinger/Scola/Miller.

Left out Okafor a player that NO will definitely want someone to take off their hands ($).

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Westbrook, Harden, Kristic and Collison for Paul and Okafor.

Wow. Now that one makes a ton of sense for the Hornets.Okafor's salary is an albatross, but he is a pretty good defensive player from what I remember.

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Mcgrady's final four...

Clippers, Lakers, Bulls, Heat

It would be funny if only the Clippers really offered him something.

It would be funny if the other 3 teams really offered him something.

 

[Abraham]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

I imagine an extension would be part of the deal although I admittedly don't know how that works in the NBA (like, can he sign an extension right now). I think you are kidding (and trying to draw Goggins in for some fun) but I'll respond anyway. Brooks is a good PG and he is very good in Houston, particularly with Lowry being a great complement to his style. But Paul is one of the three or four best PGs in the league (depending on your wants from the position) so he's certainly worth exploring a trade for if the price is right.

So hes going to sign an extension without even seeing Yao Ming back on the court? Its just not realistic.

Houston was 42-40 without Yao last season. Martin is a 20ppg guy. Scola is a good PF. Patterson and Budinger should be solid players for the future (Budinger's last month was great: 8 games, 13ppg, 50% shooting from three, .86 from the line). Is Houston an elite team without a healthy Yao? No. Are they an elite team with Paul and the rest of these guys? Eh, who knows. But the cupboard is far from bare, even without yao.

 

[pollardsvision]

Westbrook, Harden, Kristic and Collison for Paul and Okafor.

Wow. Now that one makes a ton of sense for the Hornets.Okafor's salary is an albatross, but he is a pretty good defensive player from what I remember.

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

I'd kill to see this trade happen.

 

[saintfool]

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

i'm not entirely sure. ibaka, for example, was making strides over the course of the season. he was putting up numbers comparable to okafor in the second half of the season. they're really high on him, if you believe what the front office and coaches say.

 

[Yo Mama]

Love L.A. talk radio. The big debate last night was whether it was worth it for the Lakers to do a straight Paul/Bynum swap - was pretty much 50/50 including the hosts. Loved all the callers suggesting the Sasha+Walton+1st round pick options for the trade which would make things more equitable for the Lakers.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

I imagine an extension would be part of the deal although I admittedly don't know how that works in the NBA (like, can he sign an extension right now). I think you are kidding (and trying to draw Goggins in for some fun) but I'll respond anyway. Brooks is a good PG and he is very good in Houston, particularly with Lowry being a great complement to his style. But Paul is one of the three or four best PGs in the league (depending on your wants from the position) so he's certainly worth exploring a trade for if the price is right.

So hes going to sign an extension without even seeing Yao Ming back on the court? Its just not realistic.

Houston was 42-40 without Yao last season. Martin is a 20ppg guy. Scola is a good PF. Patterson and Budinger should be solid players for the future (Budinger's last month was great: 8 games, 13ppg, 50% shooting from three, .86 from the line). Is Houston an elite team without a healthy Yao? No. Are they an elite team with Paul and the rest of these guys? Eh, who knows. But the cupboard is far from bare, even without yao.

Whats the difference between that and what he had in New Orleans? Injury prone center? Check . Injury prone shooter who can't play D? Check. Undersized scoring PF? Check. Young players with upside? Check.This new era of NBA superstars is no longer interested in contending for championships when they play well. They want to contend for championships even when they don't. The Rockets can't offer him that.

 

[Balco]

Westbrook, Harden, Kristic and Collison for Paul and Okafor.

Wow. Now that one makes a ton of sense for the Hornets.Okafor's salary is an albatross, but he is a pretty good defensive player from what I remember.

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

I'd kill to see this trade happen.

That trade might be an avatar-changer.

Really makes sense for both teams. Westbrook is a solid young, all star caliber player, Harden was the # 3 pick last year. Collison, David West, and Westbrook is a nice nucleus.As for the ThunderG: Chris PaulSG: Thabo SefoloshaSF: Kevin DurantPG: Jeff GreenC: Omeka OkaforThey need a shooter at SG. But that is a pretty awesome lineup. 2 superstars, and 2 players who know their roles (Green/Okafor).

 

[Walton Goggins]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

I imagine an extension would be part of the deal although I admittedly don't know how that works in the NBA (like, can he sign an extension right now). I think you are kidding (and trying to draw Goggins in for some fun) but I'll respond anyway. Brooks is a good PG and he is very good in Houston, particularly with Lowry being a great complement to his style. But Paul is one of the three or four best PGs in the league (depending on your wants from the position) so he's certainly worth exploring a trade for if the price is right.

So hes going to sign an extension without even seeing Yao Ming back on the court? Its just not realistic.

Houston was 42-40 without Yao last season. Martin is a 20ppg guy. Scola is a good PF. Patterson and Budinger should be solid players for the future (Budinger's last month was great: 8 games, 13ppg, 50% shooting from three, .86 from the line). Is Houston an elite team without a healthy Yao? No. Are they an elite team with Paul and the rest of these guys? Eh, who knows. But the cupboard is far from bare, even without yao.

Whats the difference between that and what he had in New Orleans? Injury prone center? Check . Injury prone shooter who can't play D? Check. Undersized scoring PF? Check. Young players with upside? Check.This new era of NBA superstars is no longer interested in contending for championships when they play well. They want to contend for championships even when they don't. The Rockets can't offer him that.

Just two years ago the Rockets took the Lakers to game 7 without Yao playing the entire series. Adding CP to the Rockets would definitely give them a serious threat to win the West and can't see how CP wouldn't see that. Good organization, good coach and the players seem to be happy in the system.

 

[saintfool]

Really makes sense for both teams. Westbrook is a solid young, all star caliber player, Harden was the # 3 pick last year. Collison, David West, and Westbrook is a nice nucleus.

this might not be of much interest NO. thornton was averaging 20ppg after the all-star break. same size and only 23.

 

[Abraham]

Whats the difference between that and what he had in New Orleans? Injury prone center? Check . Injury prone shooter who can't play D? Check. Undersized scoring PF? Check. Young players with upside? Check.This new era of NBA superstars is no longer interested in contending for championships when they play well. They want to contend for championships even when they don't. The Rockets can't offer him that.

Good points. I think the only things Houston would have as a noticeable advantage compared to NO are: Adelman >>> Williams and the TV market is 3x the size of NOLA's TV market. And the whole China thing.I tend to agree that Chris Paul probably isn't diving out of his skin to play for the Rockets. My point was that the Rockets would have enough to offer for him without completely gutting their team.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Whats the difference between that and what he had in New Orleans? Injury prone center? Check . Injury prone shooter who can't play D? Check. Undersized scoring PF? Check. Young players with upside? Check.

This new era of NBA superstars is no longer interested in contending for championships when they play well. They want to contend for championships even when they don't. The Rockets can't offer him that.

Good points. I think the only things Houston would have as a noticeable advantage compared to NO are: Adelman >>> Williams and the TV market is 3x the size of NOLA's TV market. And the whole China thing.I tend to agree that Chris Paul probably isn't diving out of his skin to play for the Rockets. My point was that the Rockets would have enough to offer for him without completely gutting their team.

Agree. Rocket fans can dream, can't we?

 

[EZD222]

Berger from cbssports says Paul's list is:

1. Knicks

2. Magic

3. Lakers

Broussard says its:

1. Knicks

2. Magic

3. Mavs

4. Blazers

 

[cubd8]

I think it's near impossible to get equal value for Chris Paul. New Orleans could acquire a promising young player, but no team is going to trade 2 or 3 good players (the core of their current team)...New Orlenas may have to settle for trading a bad contract like Okafor, acquire some expiring contracts and a bunch of draft picks and give them the opportunity to build a team with payroll flexibility, their current young core, and then future draft picks. If they do move Paul, I would also assume that David West would be on the block at some point as well.

 

[Kev4029]

I don't know why Rockets fan would even want Paul. They already believe they have a top 5 PG in Brooks and Paul wouldn't extend his contract there anyway.

They got to clear out some of this great talent they have in houston, they are just way too deep everywhere with the excellent signing of brad miller. Once they trade away a few studs (brooks, ariza, jefferies, etc) they'll have enough playing time to spread around. Addidtion by subtraction...

 

[cubd8]

Berger from cbssports says Paul's list is:1. Knicks2. Magic3. LakersBroussard says its:1. Knicks2. Magic3. Mavs4. Blazers

I think the Knicks are the obvious team for Paul since it's New York, the biggest market, etc. NY can probably take Okaor's contract, move Curry's expiring deal, but I'm assuming they don't have a draft pick in 2011 (isn't that the Rockets pick now?). They can probably toss in a younger guy like Wilson Chandler, I doubt NY would move Gallarini, but I think there's potential here for a move.I don't see the Lakers as a logical candidate. I don't see the Hornets wanting any of the Lakers bigger contracts in return.Orlando and Dallas would have to be creative (J.Nelson plus picks, take on a bad contract (Okafor)....and Orlando has shown they don't care about being in the tax)...

 

[Celph Titled]

Not even looking at the money, houston could offer brooks, ariza, jeffries, and teo firsts for paul and emeka.

Also Bat's contract would be attractive since I think he's got one year left before it's off the books. Scola could also be in the trade mix.

Might want to check that again....no FA that just signed can be traded before December.

F'in Goggins.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

i'm not entirely sure. ibaka, for example, was making strides over the course of the season. he was putting up numbers comparable to okafor in the second half of the season. they're really high on him, if you believe what the front office and coaches say.

I like Ibaka but he isn't the answer for them. He'd be a great energy guy off the bench at PF. Okafor is currently the better player right now but in a couple years that may change.

 

[saintfool]

Okafor is a huge upgrade over the big men that OKC was putting on the floor.

i'm not entirely sure. ibaka, for example, was making strides over the course of the season. he was putting up numbers comparable to okafor in the second half of the season. they're really high on him, if you believe what the front office and coaches say.

I like Ibaka but he isn't the answer for them. He'd be a great energy guy off the bench at PF. Okafor is currently the better player right now but in a couple years that may change.

my point is that okafor isn't giving you anything that you aren't getting from ibaka already. modest scoring, rebounding and shot-blocking. ibaka is still learning the game but he's improving as his workload increased. he's younger and fits in the system run by OKC. okafor has been a disappointment in terms of production and his contract makes him a player to avoid.