Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Should the Knicks Be Worried at This Point?

The blockbuster trade that would ship Rajon Rondo out of Boston for Chris Paul is just starting to gain momentum, but things are starting to move pretty fast in the negotiations.

For a move like this to even start to make sense though, a third team would have to get involved.

Unfortunately, it looks like that may already be the case.

The Pacers? Seriously?

Somewhere right now, Reggie Miller is laughing his ass off.

That's some pretty heavy news, and if I were a Knicks fan (which I am), I would start to panic...but just a little.

Chris Paul to New York in 2012 seemed pretty inevitable just a few hours ago. Now, with the Knicks' division nemesis throwing their little leprechaun hat into the mix, nothing is for certain, and 1,000 new questions and concerns have officially been brought up.

Sure, Chris Paul has stated before that he would love to form a big three in New York with his two buddies Stat and Melo. But besides that one little semi-serious comment at Melo's wedding, Paul has been professional and silent about the whole thing, just like he should be.

Paul in a Knicks uniform is a dream scenario for every single fan. Some people might even argue that it would be better than that other big three down in Miami.

But the problem with all of this is simple...it's a pretty big gamble for Paul if he did decide to call the Garden his home, especially considering the talent that would potentially be surrounding him other than the guys wearing numbers one and seven. 

Paul knows it, that's why he's always kept his options open from day one. He knows that he and Dwight Howard down in Orlando could be just as deadly as anything that the Knicks could offer him.

And let's not forget about the $40 million dollars Paul might have to give up if he came to New York. Even for an overpaid NBA player, that's a pretty big chunk of change, especially after the lockout left his wallet empty for a few weeks. 

And I'm sorry New York, but why not the Celtics? Sure they're getting a little up there in age, but it's still the most prestigious NBA franchise around, and there's very little doubt that Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce can still ball until proven otherwise. 

I hate admitting that fact, but you can't deny that it's a legitimate destination for Paul.

Also, let's not forget that this all might simply be a bluff from those pesky Celtics in order to throw the Knicks' front office into panic mode. Rondo is far from a slouch, plus he's a fan favorite and the leader of his team in multiple ways, especially when it comes to running the floor. 

He's no Chris Paul, but no one really is. The chemistry that Rondo has built with his teammates is more than enough of a reason to keep him in beantown. 

And let's not forget that Paul is still going to be a free agent in 2012, so I'm sure the Celtics aren't going to make any moves unless Paul signs a hefty extension. That's the biggest factor concerning all of this for right now, and the most important thing to keep in mind. 

If anything, it strengthens the whole idea that this little rumor is a major bluff to just scare the Knicks into biting off more then they can chew in their trade package for Paul.

Still, the Knicks need to be worried. They've come too far and indirectly promised too many things to their fans to not feel a little freaked out by all of this.

As of right now though, Chris Paul is still a Hornet, a third team is still not set in stone, and the Celtics still have an alien as their point guard.

As for the Knicks? They're looking into signing Jamal Crawford and Sebastian Telfair.

Okay never mind...Maybe it is time to panic.