NBA Trade Rumors: Why Chris Paul Will Inevitably Leave the New Orleans Hornets

The Chris Paul to the New York Knicks rumors have been going on for quite some time now and now you can possibly add a couple more teams to the mix.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports that you can add the Los Angeles Clippers to Paul's short wish list. The Atlanta Hawks could also be players as well and could possibly offer up a package that includes Jeff Teague and Marvin Williams.

Yet while it doesn't appear that Paul is going anywhere at the moment (don't forget that the NBA is right now the de facto owner of the Hornets), inevitably Paul will be wearing a new uniform. It's going to happen.

How soon it happens pretty much depends on Paul.

If Paul is going to remain committed to the Knicks, it's likely not going to happen until the 2012 season.

However if Paul gets real serious about getting out of New Orleans, the ball is in his court.

There isn't a team out there that's going to be willing to part with the necessary assets it will take to land the All-Star point guard if Paul isn't willing to sign an extension this season.

The Hornets will have to take the best deal possible for them, but it's going to have to be to a team that Paul is willing to sign with. They can't risk losing him for nothing. They have to move him. It's not like they are championship contenders with Paul.

How soon they do is entirely up to Paul. He holds all the chips in this situation.