NBA Trade Rumors: Hornets Willing to Help Chris Paul Escape from New Orleans

Point guard Chris Paul doesn't want to remain a member of the New Orleans Hornets when he becomes a free agent, and the organization is very much so aware of that.

In fact, they seem to accept it.

They are going to help him plan his grand escape.

To some, it may seem crazy, but believe you me the smartest thing the Hornets can do is accept their fate as a mid-market organization and do everything they can to help Paul out in this situation.

According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, the Hornets are prepared to work with Paul to find him a new team, and hopefully get a treasure back in return:

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The key for the Hornets is to avoid getting "LeBron'd." That means not getting left at the altar next July with nothing but a trade exception burning a hole in your pocket for a year. If basketball is to work in the Big Easy post-Paul, the Hornets have to get a treasure trove of assets back in return—an All-Star player, young talent and multiple draft picks.

That is why the Hornets are hoping for a different approach with Paul than James had with the Cavaliers in his final season in Cleveland, or, to a lesser degree, Anthony had last season in Denver before getting traded to New York. While the Hornets are hopeful they can somehow convince Paul to stay, they are realists. Given the constraints of being under the league's ownership this season and the lack of talent on the roster relative to other places, they know that Paul wants out. And they are willing to help facilitate that, as long as there's a return that makes them whole as a franchise and able to go forward in New Orleans when the team is eventually sold. So while they hope against hope Paul somehow has a change of heart, they also plan to work with Paul and his representatives, to try and make the best possible deal if it comes to that.

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We all saw what happened to the Cleveland Cavaliers in wake of LeBron James' "decision" and we all remember the figurative handcuffs that he put on the organization that was so desperate to lure him back as a free agent.

Unfortunately, loyalty is somewhat of a dead art in professional sports today, and at least the Hornets are smart enough to realize that.

Sure, they could cater to Paul's every need, suck up to him at every turn and do everything they can to convince him that New Orleans is the place he wants to be, but what happens if that doesn't work?

You know what happens. They will be left empty-handed and reeling.

By acknowledging that Paul wants out and working with him to find a trade, at the very least the Hornets will be getting something back in return, which is a lot more than the Cavaliers could say about the LeBron fiasco.

Paul has averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game in his six-year career with the Hornets.

He's arguably one of the best—if not the best—point guards in the league, and the return value for him will be through the roof.

Rather than watching Paul walk out the door in free agency, the Hornets want to escort him out on their own terms.

While it may seem like a loss, if they do indeed trade Paul it will be a decision they won't regret.