NBA Rumors: Any Hope Hornets Have to Keep Chris Paul Rests with David West

In a strange twist, the most important Hornets player right now happens to be David West because he may hold the key to keeping Chris Paul in New Orleans. 

The most volatile situation in the NBA right now is the one surrounding Paul. He has made it clear that he doesn't plan on signing an extension prior to the start of the season, leading the Hornets to look for the highest bidder to rid their roster of a headache, albeit an All-Star one. 

The middling franchise has another talented player to worry about in David West. Free agency is set to open Friday, and West is one of the more coveted players on the open market. 

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports the Hornets are one of two teams leading the race to sign West once he becomes a free agent later this week. The other team is the Indiana Pacers. 

Wojnarowski breaks down the hopes that lie in signing West outside of his obvious talents. 

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West’s future in New Orleans could still be tied to the decision the organization makes on whether to ride out the season with Chris Paul or look to move him quickly. If general manager Dell Demps decides to continue to sell Paul on re-signing with the Hornets, he’ll be far more aggressive in working to sign West to a new deal. 

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I can see the Hornets really making a strong push for West only if it will bring Paul back and keep him. Otherwise, it's rebuilding time in New Orleans. 

This tweet by CBS Sports Ken Berger only further illustrates that sentiment.

The key here is that the Hornets are in an enormous state of flux. There is little hope that they can leave the next two weeks without making some mammoth changes.

If the Hornets have any amount of confidence that West will have Paul satisfied, they will continue to be a leader in the sweepstakes.

Seeing as West is hardly the one straw that would cause CP3 to completely change his thoughts on the subject of wanting out, it's far more likely that we will see a Hornets squad sans West and Paul this season.

Don't worry, New Orleans. You should have a ton to fresh new names to learn in a week or so. That should keep your mind off losing two very good players.