NBA Trade Talk: 6 Reasons Chris Paul to Knicks Works for All Parties

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 24: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets reacts to a call during a game with the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at New Orleans Arena on April 24, 2011 in New Or

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The big name on the move two seasons ago was LeBron James. Last season it was Carmelo Anthony, and this year it is Chris Paul (no disrespect to Dwight Howard).

Chris Paul can exercise a player option at the end of the 2011-2012 NBA season, though he is extremely unlikely to do so, which would make him an unrestricted free agent.

It may not even get to that point as the New Orleans Hornets could trade Paul during the season, so they at least get some value for him. A perfect trading partner for the Hornets would be the New York Knicks.

The Knicks have a need at point guard, Paul wants to play for them and the Knicks have some assets that could interest the Hornets.

It's a great match for everyone involved. Here are six reasons why a Chris Paul trade to the Knicks works out for all parties.

He Wants to Play for the Knicks

NEW YORK CITY, NY - AUGUST 13: Carmelo Anthony (L) and Chris Paul of USAB speak during the World Basketball Festival at Rucker Park on August 13, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for Nike)

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It's no secret that Chris Paul wants to join the New York Knicks.

Last year at Carmelo Anthony's wedding in New York City, it was reported that Paul made a toast claiming that him, Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire would form their own "Big 3" in New York.

If Paul really has his mind set on playing in New York, he could petition the New Orleans Hornets front office to trade him to the Knicks.

Complete Their Big 3

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If the New York Knicks were to acquire Chris Paul it would complete their own "Big 3" and position them to challenge the Miami Heat and their collection of stars.

Right now the Knicks are competitive with just Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, but getting swept by the Boston Celtics in the playoffs showed that they are still a player away from competing for an NBA title.

Paul is that missing piece and would give the Knicks the floor general they have been lacking for years. Seeing what Paul could do with legitimate talent surrounding him would be a joy to watch.

The Hornets Want to Get Something for Him

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: (L-R) Willie Green #33, Chris Paul #3 and Jarrett Jack #2 of the New Orleans Hornets react on the bench during a 98-80 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Pla

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Chris Paul's contract expires after the 2011-2012 NBA season. He is unlikely to re-sign with the team during free agency, so the New Orleans Hornets would be wise to get something for him while they can.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors learned this the hard way as they didn't trade LeBron James or Chris Bosh and watched them leave in free agency, only to get nothing in return.

If the Hornets are offered a fair trade by the New York Knicks, they should pull the trigger and trade Paul.

Clear Cap Space

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 13: Emeka Okafor #50, Peja Stojakovic #16 and Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets talk on the bench during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena on November 13, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. N

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Any potential Chris Paul trade could also involve Emeka Okafor. The New Orleans Hornets would love nothing more than to unload Okafor's contract.

Okafor still has three years left on his contract that pays him over $12 million per year. While trading Paul would make the team less competitive, ridding themselves of Okafor would clear a ton of cap space and allow them rebuild.

The Hornets Can't Win Even With Paul

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: (L-R) Willie Green #33 and Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets react on the bench during a 98-80 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 28

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Even with Chris Paul on the team, the New Orleans Hornets aren't serious contenders for an NBA title.

The team peaked back in 2008 with their Western Conference Semifinals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. They snuck into the playoffs this past season and gave the Los Angeles Lakers all they had, but that wasn't even enough to escape the first round.

The Hornets are a few notches below the top teams in the league. The Hornets have only one star, and in today's NBA, you need at least two stars to be considered a serious contender.

Enable the Hornets to Rebuild

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Landry Fields #6 of the New York Knicks and the Rookie Team goes up for a layup in the first half during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at Staples Center on February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo

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While the New York Knicks don't have a young stud to offer the New Orleans Hornets in return for Chris Paul, they could offer them some solid pieces to help them rebuild.

Any potential trade would likely involve Landry Fields, who impressed a rookie last season starting for the Knicks at shooting guard. Fields is a nice role player that would fit in nicely in New Orleans.

The Knicks could also offer Iman Shumpert, a combo guard who they drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft. The Knicks could also offer a plethora of draft picks, but the biggest chip of all could be Chauncey Billups.

Billups' $14.2 million contract expires after the 2011-2012 NBA season, and the Hornets could swing Billups for a good player to a team looking for financial relief.

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