Chris Paul's Latest Development: He Wants Out
"When Paul was quoted a few weeks ago as saying heโd be open to a trade if the Hornetsย arenโt committed to building a championship team, it was only a small hint as to the size of the chasm that exists between the franchise and its cornerstone player. Paul, in fact, has put into motion an aggressive exit strategy that will accelerate in the coming weeks, and his clear intention is to be traded before the start of the 2010-11 season, a person with direct knowledge of his plans told CBSSports.com Wednesday.
โHe wants out,โ said the person, who has been briefed on Paulโs strategy but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. โHe wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBronโs model of teaming up with other great players.โ
Paulโs list of preferred destinations consists of the Knicks, Magic and Lakers, and members of his inner circle already have sent word to the Hornets of his desire to be traded to one of those teams, sources say. If Paul has his way, heโs played his last game in a Hornets jersey.
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Whatโs to make of this? Well, I buy it. Not saying heโll be a Knick at the start of the season, but it makes sense after hearing about his comments at Carmelo Anthonyโs wedding. It isnโt coming out of nowhere. We knew that he wasnโt happy with what happened during the offseason regarding the Hornetโs lack of movement.
The only thing that bothers me about this is Raymond Felton. Felton, recently signed to a two year contract, will be praying Chris Paul doesnโt play 41 games in New York. And frankly, I feel for Ray. Heโs looking to make his due in the NBA.
That being said, the Knicks can always trade Felton on December 15 for two cents on the dollar to make room for Paul. If you want my honest opinion, I donโt think there is a high chance Chris will be a Knick before the season starts, but maybe Iโm just pessimistic after seeing the Queen take his talents to South Beach.
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