NBA Trade Rumors: Dying Chris Paul Trade Talk Is Blessing in Disguise for Knicks

It is quite clear that the New York Knicks need another big piece to pair with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire before they can become legitimate title contenders. Trade talks have reportedly broken down for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, but that may not be a bad thing.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, an NBA executive believes that any possible trade between the Knicks and Hornets involving Paul is dead at this point. While that may be disappointing to Knicks fans, it doesn't mean that Paul won't ultimately wind up in the Big Apple.

This news isn't particularly shocking to begin with. After dealing away gobs of depth and young talent to acquire Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Denver Nuggets last season, the cupboard is relatively barren for the Knicks in that regard.

New York is also unable to deal a first-round pick until 2016, as the NBA doesn't allow teams to go consecutive years without having a first rounder. This means that the only real assets that the Knicks can offer for Paul are second-year guard Landry Fields, third-year guard Toney Douglas and the expiring contract of Billups.

Considering the fact that Paul is a multiple-time All Star and an MVP-caliber player, getting two role players and an aging guard in return probably isn't very appealing to the Hornets. Seeing as the Knicks can't afford to lose much more depth anyway, they would be much better off trying to sign him during the summer.

The issue with that, of course, is if a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or Boston Celtics find a way to acquire him and sign him to an extension. While the rumors are out there that Paul wants to be a Knick, there is no guarantee that he would wait to sign with them if he landed in a good situation.

There isn't anything New York can do about it, though, as there simply doesn't seem to be a sensible trade to be made between the two organizations. If the Knicks lose out on Paul then at least they know they did all that they could, but if he doesn't sign a contract prior to free agency, it will be all the better.

The Knicks would likely have to get a little creative to sign Paul, although Billups' $14 million coming off the books will help. If there is truly mutual desire to get things done between the organization and Paul, however, New York should have no trouble reeling him in.

Getting Paul via free agency was always the ideal option anyway. While trading for Anthony was ultimately the right move, losing glue guys like Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton clearly affected the team's chemistry.

The same would be true if New York were to lose Fields and Douglas. The Miami Heat showed that three stars aren't always enough to win a championship, and that is something the Knicks need to take to heart. Provided they get Paul in free agency, the Knicks will be glad that a trade never materialized.