Trade Possibilities for Chris Paul

Before the free agency of 2010 opened on July 1, 2010, New Orleans Hornets' star point guard Chris Paul was almost traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Paul is not a free agent, but he is a very hot target for teams looking for a point guard. Even though the Hornets claimed that they would not trade Chris Paul, there had been many speculations about trades of this All Star. Though Chris Paul was not traded to the Blazers, there still are several teams that are chasing him.

Portland Trail Blazers almost came to agreement with the Hornets. Portland planned to get Chris Paul and Emeka Okafor from the Hornets in return for Andre Miller, Joel Przybilla, Nicholas Batum, Jerryd Bayless and the No. 22 draft pick. But afterward the Hornets general manager Jeff Bower says that the owner is not ready to deal Chris Paul.

New Orleans does not need to trade Chris Paul because of money issues. After their draft night trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder the Hornets total salary is below the luxury tax line. So, money is not, and should not be, the issue. The problem is that Chris Paul might not be happy playing for the Hornets. We have seem many stars demanding their teams to trade them because them because they are not happy. The Hornets did not make the playoffs in 2010 due to injuries. Also, with rookie Darren Collison rising quickly, Paul might feel his position somewhat threatened by this rising point guard.

Portland believes Paul wants to be traded and so they will continue their pursuit of this all star point guard. However, Portland is not the only one. The Orlando Magic, after losing in the conference finals, also wants Paul and Okafor. They are willing to offer an expiring contract and former all star Jameer Nelson. Two other teams also offer to trade for Paul.

As the free agency opens, if New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets do not get LeBron James or other all star free agents, they might join into the chase of Chris Paul. Both teams have enough cap space to release Hornets' salary cap pressure. Also both teams can offer enough talent to entice the Hornets. The Knicks can offer Danilo Gallinari, while the Nets can offer Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. Nonetheless, after the free agency becomes to heat up, Chris Paul would become a hot commodity for many NBA teams.