NBA Trade Rumors: Is Chris Paul for Stephen Curry Best Deal Hornets Can Get?

Well, I think the New York Knicks may be feeling a little bit awkward after the latest Chris Paul rumor.

After the ordeal on December 1st where Paul was rumored to demand a trade from the New Orleans Hornets to the Knicks which was then followed up by CP3 denying ever demanding a trade, a new rumor has surfaced that involves Paul once again but a new team has now joined the fray.

Sports columnist for the San Jose Mercury News Tim Kawakami is now reporting that Paul may end up as a member of the Golden State Warriors due to the team's interest that they have in their own point guard in Stephen Curry. This comes only shortly after the Hornets reportedly turned down a trade that would have sent Paul to Boston and Rajon Rondo would have been sent to New Orleans in return.

The Warriors are just a new team added to the mix with the Celtics, Knicks, L.A. Clippers and Lakers all being potential suitors for the point guard who is set to become a free agent in 2012. The Hornets have planned on attempting to re-sign Paul in the 2012 offseason, but may not have to end up doing so if the Warriors agree to send over Stephen Curry and possibly a few other pieces in return.

Curry has only spent two years in the NBA, but they have been stellar after many considered that he wouldn't be ready to join the league upon being drafted seventh in the 2009 draft. Since being drafted by the Warriors, Curry has only lived above and beyond expectations as he has shot 44 percent from beyond the arc in his first two seasons while making two three-pointers per game on both occasions.

He is coming off of a career best of a season where he averaged 19 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field. On a team as high-octane as the Warriors, Curry has fit in very well thanks in part to the speed he uses to get to the rim and craftiness he utilizes to finish around the rim to rid himself of taller frontcourt members.

This might just be the best trade offer that the Hornets will receive out of Chris Paul. As much as he'd enjoy going to New York, the team just doesn't have the pieces to entice New Orleans into a trade and only a third party with a big name player or two would pry Paul from the Hornets clutches.

While there has been no word from Chris Paul on what he thinks of his new situation, the chances are likely that he'd be bewildered if he ended up in a Warriors uniform. It's obvious that his intentions are to go to New York after spending so much time in the city with Carmelo Anthony over the summer, so it would be surprising, to say the least, to see Paul playing alongside the likes of Monta Ellis and David Lee.

Going to the Warriors might be just as good of a situation for Paul than heading to the Knicks. If he were to head to New York, he's not getting anything near a max deal as he'd reportedly make $13 million per year, which pales in comparison to the $20 million that Amare Stoudemire and Anthony are currently making. Not only that, but even if the team does end up signing him, they would end up with hardly any funds to build a competitive roster.

The Warriors have shown a lot of promise over the past few seasons and they could become serious contenders with rookie head coach Mark Jackson leading the way. A former point guard like Jackson would play the perfect role of mentor to Chris Paul as he would understand the situation he is in and would attempt to guide him through it.

The ball would run though Paul, he'd be running an offense with one of the top pure scorers in Monta Ellis, and would be part of a new look team that's attempting to make a significant push towards the playoffs this year.

For the Hornets, this may just be the best deal they can get. New York has nothing to offer, the L.A. Lakers may be saving their trade chips for Dwight Howard, they've already rejected what the Celtics had to offer and they haven't shown any interest in what the Clippers could potentially offer.

If the Hornets could potentially add Dorell Wright to that deal to sweeten the pot, we could very well see one of the most unlikeliest of trades go off within the next few weeks.