NBA Rumors: Top Teams in the Hunt for Chris Paul

Teams seem to be emerging by the minute as suitors for the services of Chris Paul, provoking a rumor-filled state unlike any other we have witnessed.

A floor general is one of the most import players on the court, and in that department, Paul is simply one of the best. It should come as no surprise that there are floods of teams in legitimate contention to obtain the star point guard's services.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have apparently had a plan all along to make a run at both Dwight Howard and Paul, and their blueprint was kept in tact when it became apparent that the New Orleans Hornets have not ruled out accepting a package headlined by Pau Gasol, in exchange for their star.

Not many teams have the ability to give the Hornets a proven star as well as other impact pieces in any Paul deal, but Los Angeles is one of the few.

As long as the Lakers maintain the piece of mind that anyone on the roster—sans Kobe Bryant—is untouchable, they remain a viable destination for Paul.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics remain one of the top teams in the hunt for Paul solely because of their willingness to engage in trade talks.

New Orleans has not expressed any serious interest in what Boston is offering, and as a result, the Celtics keep upping the ante. Currently, the team is dangling Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and two future first-round picks in front of the Hornets, in an attempt to pry their star away.

Additionally, prior to the Golden State Warriors emerging as a suitor for Paul, the Celtics attempted to pull off a Rondo for Stephen Curry swap. The plan there would have been to then flip Curry in exchange for Paul.

As long as the Celtics keep assembling trade packages and throwing them New Orleans' way, they will remain one of the top teams in the hunt for Paul.

Golden State Warriors

Speaking of the  Warriors, they seem serious about splitting up Curry and Monta Ellis in the backcourt.

Curry, not Ellis, is now the name that has hit the rumor mill, as the Warriors attempt to put a package together for Paul. Their current offer includes not only Curry, but fellow lottery picks Klay Thompson and Ekpe Udoh, as well.

It is unclear who else Golden State would be willing to deal in exchange for Paul, but what is certain is that Curry's inclusion gives them a fighting chance at landing. He is extremely talented and arguably the best replacement for Paul that New Orleans will find.

As long as Curry's name remains on the offer sheet, the Warriors are serious contenders for Paul's services.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers were named by Chris Broussard as one of Paul's preferred destinations, and given how active they have been in pursuing him, there is a strong possibility these two parties sync up.

Los Angeles' offer does not include the likes of Eric Gordon or DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers are unwilling to relinquish that much talent without a guarantee Paul stays beyond this season.

Instead, Los Angeles is offering two former first-round picks in Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu, the expiring contract of center Chris Kaman and the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2012 first-round draft pick.

The offer would be much more appealing if it included Gordon, but it may very well take a guarantee from Paul to get that to happen. Regardless though, the Clippers' offer comes with the luxury of maneuverability, thus ensuring they remain in play for the point guard.

New York Knicks

To no one's surprise, Paul's preferred destination above all others is New York.

That being said, the broken record isn't lying as the Knicks do have very little assets to offer in exchange for the point guard. An offer of Chauncey Billups, Toney Douglas, Landry Fields and Iman Shumpert is perhaps the best the Knicks can do, but it doesn't hold a candle to what else is out there.

New York's best hope lies with Paul opting to truly exert his leverage or finding a third team with an expendable star.

While the odds are stacked against the Knicks, we cannot neglect to mention that this is a "same story, different player" type of situation for the team. They were viewed as long shots to land Carmelo Anthony last season, yet we all know how that turned out.

Paul's situation is slightly more complex, but looking at the Miami Heat, and now the Knicks, we know that if stars want to team up, they will find a way to do so.

Don't count the Knicks out just yet folks.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.