NBA Rumors: Hornets Finally Accept the Inevitable, Make Chris Paul Available

The New Orleans Hornets are not going to err where teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets have in the past few years.

Instead of letting Chris Paul play out his final season with little or no hope of re-signing him, or having him sulk and force a trade during the year, they are reportedly going to try their hardest to move him before training camp opens on Friday.

They have learned a valuable lesson from watching LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire and other superstars walk for barely anything in return.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are all in the mix right now to land the superstar point guard, and it will probably come down to who offers the most intriguing package to Hornets GM Dell Demps.

It’s been said that Paul wants to join the New York Knicks, but the team lacks the assets to compete with those other clubs in a bidding war. It’s especially true because many, if not all, of the interested parties no longer have made having CP3 sign an extension a sticking point of their negotiations.

Demps is going to look for the best possible deal to help a franchise that currently revolves around their point guard.

The Warriors have apparently offered Stephen Curry, Ekpe Udoh and Klay Thompson, three solid young players they could build around.

The Clippers have made everyone available except for Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon, as they feel those players would excel with Paul running the show.

Demps is smart to get young talent and draft picks from any of these teams in exchange for a star that was leaving at the end of the season no matter what.

There would be no point in trying to play through a frustrating year while the team is surrounded by trade rumors and speculation on where Paul would land.

The Carmelo Anthony drama hurt the Nuggets last year and the team still ended up being one of the hottest in the league after it reloaded with a bunch of youthful and productive pieces acquired in the deal.  

The Hornets were obviously watching that situation very closely and feel it is best to do the same, but make the move before training camp starts so they can best prepare for the season with their new players.