NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Ways the New York Knicks Can Land Chris Paul
Another day, another New York Knicks rumor. This time it doesn't directly involve Carmelo Anthony, but rather Chris Paul.
The Knicks believe that they can put together their own version of "The Big Three," by acquiring Anthony and Paul, to go along with Amar'e Stoudemire.
But do the Knicks have enough in their chamber to get all three of these guys together?
The easiest way to get there would be to wait for both Anthony and Paul to hit free agency.
Anthony becomes a free agent after this season—though he's saying that he would be open to signing an extension with the Nuggets.
That's probably because he can make more money signing an extension with them now to avoid the likely salary reduction that all of the NBA will take on after this season.
Paul doesn't hit free agency until 2012, so the Knicks would have to wait two years before they could sign him. Given the urgency, and general lack of patience in New York, that doesn't seem like a viable option for the team.
So how do the Knicks get their hands on Chris Paul?
Here are 10 ways they could do it. Some of them are realistic, some of them are completely outlandish, but they are all things that could happen.
Give New Orleans A Ton Of Draft Picks
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The Knicks have been working on stockpiling draft picks in their effort to land Carmelo Anthony. So why not take some of those picks and offer them to New Orleans?
Paul is a better overall player than Carmelo. He plays a much more valuable position, and he plays it extremely well. They could build a huge package around those draft picks.
The NBA Draft is usually a wash after the first few picks, so it's not like the Knicks would be missing out on a lot of high-end talent giving up the picks.
Involve A Third Team In The Deal
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Reportedly, the Knicks and Nuggets have included the Timberwolves in their talks regarding a Carmelo Anthony deal. A big reason for that is because the Knicks don't really have a lot of valuable parts to give up to acquire a top player.
They would face the same situation with Chris Paul, who, as was already mentioned, is a more valuable player than Anthony.
If they were to land Paul, it would be because they found a third team who can help match New Orleans demands for the All-Star point guard.
Perhaps they could get the T-Wolves involved in a potential Paul trade as well.
Move Eddy Curry's Expiring Contract
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It's no secret that the New Orleans Hornets are in dire financial straits. The NBA has taken over control of the franchise because they couldn't find a buyer for the franchise. They will be more likely to make a move to get some salary cap relief.
Trading Chris Paul wouldn't help the value of the franchise, but it would provide them with financial relief. Especially if they were to take Eddy Curry's expiring contract from the Knicks in return.
We see these kind of moves every year, where one team moves a player just to get rid of a contract, and the other team is more than happy to get the expiring contract on their books.
It would take more than just Curry for Paul straight up, but that's not a bad place for the Knicks to start.
Build A Package Around Raymond Felton
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Let me be clear: Raymond Felton is not in the same class of point guard as Chris Paul.
That said, he is more than capable of holding his own against some of the top point guards in the NBA. He is averaging 17 points, nine assists and two steals per game. Plus, he shoots 87 percent from the free throw line.
He's not a great shooter, but he has made improvements in his game every year of his career.
Paul averages 17 points, 10 assists and three steals per game. The difference is he is a much better shooter and defender than Felton.
It would be a decent start to a deal for the Hornets, though there would have to be a lot more in it for them to think of pulling the trigger.
Be Willing To Move Your Young Talent
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Reportedly, one of the sticking points between the Knicks and Nuggets in the Carmelo trade talks was the Knicks' reluctance to give up young players like Landry Fields and Anthony Randolph.
We all love talent that has upside, but at some point you have to draw the line. Does anyone really think that either one of those guys are going to develop into the same caliber player as a Carmelo Anthony or Chris Paul?
If you want to get something big, you have to be willing to part with at least one thing that you really like.
The Knicks might think Fields and/or Randolph are going to be valuable contributors, but they aren't likely to be MVP-caliber players. Chris Paul is and will be for a long time to come.
Mortgage Your Future For A Chance To Win Now
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It seems like the Knicks have a really warped perception of how good they really are this year. Let's not forget that they are only 26-25. Granted, that's a HUGE step forward given where they have been for the last decade, but they are still an average basketball team.
If they want to become a top-level Eastern Conference team, like Boston or Miami, they will have to take a lot of big risks that will greatly impact their future.
That's why giving up your rookies, draft picks, role players really makes sense. The Knicks can give up a lot of future potential to get Paul.
You don't win in sports with role players like Ronnie Turiaf. You win with superstars.
Team president Donnie Walsh is under the gun to get something done and soon. Otherwise, he could find himself out of a job.
New York doesn't worry about their future. They only care about what is going to happen now, and right now they need a lot of help if they want to make any noise come playoff time.
Work A Three-Way Deal With The Nets
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Sure, the Nets would be helping out the Knicks, but they would also be keeping Carmelo from going to New York, at least until he becomes a free agent.
I don't think that should be the Nets' only motivation to get involved in a potential deal, but it surely wouldn't hurt.
The Nets have a lot of young talent on their roster, and they are willing to make a move if they think it will make them better by the time they move to their new arena in Brooklyn.
Perhaps something like Harris to New Orleans, Paul to New York and Landry Fields and Trevor Ariza to New Jersey.
Work A Three-Way Deal With Denver
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This would be the biggest blockbuster of the year because it would involve getting both Paul and Carmelo to New York. There would be a lot of pieces moving back and forth, but it could work.
The Knicks roster would be completely gutted, but they would have the trio that they have wanted for the last four months.
New York gets Carmelo and Paul, Denver gets Emeka Okafor, Landry Fields, Eddy Curry, Trevor Ariza and draft picks, New Orleans gets Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Danilo Gallinari and JR Smith.
That's a crazy deal, and one that you will probably never see come close to happening. But if the Knicks get desperate enough, they will do anything.
Work A Three-Way Deal With Philadelphia
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The 76ers have been looking to get rid of their more expensive veteran players, like Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala.
They could find the Knicks so desperate to make a move for Chris Paul that they are able to unload some of their bad contracts in a three-way deal.
New York would get Paul and Andre Iguodala.
Philadelphia would get Eddy Curry's expiring contract and Landry Fields. Plus, they would get out from under Iguodala's contract.
New Orleans would get Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari and a slew of draft picks.
Work A Four-Way Trade With Chicago And Denver
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This is the big blockbuster. There are a lot of moving pieces in this scenario. The Bulls and Knicks both get something that they need, and the Hornets and Nuggets get a decent return.
The Bulls would get Carmelo Anthony, to go alongside Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer; they would be a serious contender in the East.
The Knicks would get Chris Paul, to go along with A'mare Stoudemire, they would have the energy back in the Garden for the first time in a long time.
The Hornets would get Raymond Felton, Kyle Korver and Landry Fields, plus draft picks.
The Nuggets would get Eddy Curry, Anthony Randolph, Danilo Gallinari and Ronnie Brewer.
Admittedly the deal isn't great for New Orleans and Denver, but they are getting back some things that they can use in the future instead of just losing these players to free agency.
