Boston Celtics leading Chris Paul trade race?
The Boston Celtics have reportedly “relentlessly pursued” Chris Paul, exploring eight different scenarios that would bring Paul to Boston, including several possibilities that include a third team to sweeten the package.
Considering that Stephen Curry and Eric Gordon, two New Orleans Hornets favorites, are expected to be off limits, Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski is now saying what I’ve thought all along: The Celtics current offer “could be the most attractive to the Hornets.”
ESPN’s Marc Stein and Chris Broussard also believe the Celtics are at or near the lead for Paul:
It has been evident since Monday that the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are New Orleans’ preferred trade partners, but one source close to the process told ESPN.com that talks between Golden State and New Orleans have gone “dormant” because of the Warriors’ refusal to make Curry part of the deal without an assurance from Paul that he will stay beyond this season as opposed to bolting as a free agent in July 2012. Clippers guard Eric Gordon is the other player New Orleans covets in a Paul deal on par with Curry, but L.A. has likewise insisted all week that Gordon is a “deal breaker,” as one source put it.
Various executives believe that the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are thus the two most likely landing spots for Paul, but sources with knowledge of New Orleans’ thinking said late Wednesday that the Hornets are prepared to wait for offers to improve, convinced that they they’re getting low-ball proposals at this early stage of the process based on the external belief that they’re so motivated to move Paul they will rush into a deal.
The Celtics, sources say, are currently presenting the strongest offer, which featuresRajon Rondo, Jeff Green and two first-round picks. As the Paul pursuer most willing to trade for the All-Star point guard with zero assurance that Paul will stay beyond this season, Boston is also trying to concoct multi-team scenarios that would help the Hornets come away with the package they desire for Paul, featuring at least one established veteran to help them stay relevant, one up-and-coming talent and draft picks.
The Hornets’ interest in Rondo is lukewarm at best, but one scenario in circulation would involve the Indiana Pacers and route former Hornets point guard Darren Collison back to New Orleans and land Rondo with the Pacers and Paul with the Celtics. Yet several other players would have to be involved to make such a deal work — with more established talent going to New Orleans — and there was no indication Wednesday that such a deal was close to completion.
Although sources say Paul continues to express no interest in a long-term stay in Boston, Celtics GM Danny Ainge is apparently convinced that trading for Paul now to try to make one more title run with the aging star trio of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett andRay Allen is a no-brainer gamble. With the contracts of Garnett and Allen expiring at season’s end, Boston would have sufficient salary-cap space to not only try to retain Paul but also pursue a second young superstar to play with him.
In case you’re scoring at home: The Hornets are now believed to want Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon and/or Darren Collison in return for Paul, but they are “lukewarm” about the prospect of adding a 25-year old, two-time All-Star who has made the NBA’s All-Defensive First-Team each of the past two seasons, already won one championship, has been the Celtics’ best player in each of the past three postseasons, and tends to raise his play during big games.
At this point, I think it’s entirely possible the Hornets are leaking false rumors to entice Danny Ainge to sweeten Boston’s offer. At the very least, the Hornets’ reported lack of respect for Rondo is curious.
Related posts:
- Glen Davis desirable to New Orleans Hornets as part of Chris Paul package?
- Celtics willing to trade for Chris Paul even if he doesn’t sign contract extension, according to a report
- Chris Paul trade will come by Friday, three suitors believe
- Answering questions about the Chris Paul trade rumors and Rajon Rondo’s involvement
- Chris Paul’s agent says he wants trade to New York Knicks, not Boston Celtics, according to repot
Celtics Blog | Jay King | December 8, 2011
Boston Celtics, Boston Celtics rumors 2011, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo
How are the Celtics getting better with this trade? Sure Paul may be incrementally better than Rondo….but how does losing 2 good quality players including Jeff Green help the team? Does DA think Marquis Daniels is Greens replacement?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I think there are several things going on here. One is that I think that gms around the league have figured out that Danny has an obsessive/compulsive/addictive problem of some kind involving trades. Once he has the taste of a trade in his mouth, he must have it.
Secondly, I think that the very fact that Danny is trying to trade Rondo, and the avidity with which he is trying to do this is wrecking Rondo’s trade value. It’s also putting Danny deeper and deeper into a position where he has no choice but to trade Rondo.
THAT is the mostly likely reason that other teams may be leaking about this. The more this becomes public, the more any possible return to Boston becomes impossible for Rondo, the more Danny HAS to trade him, the easier he becomes to manipulate. There is a perfect storm brewing here of Danny Disaster.
Anyway, I think Rondo will end up with the Pacers, because I think Larry sees the talent.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
What leverage do the Hornets really have except with New York who is out the picture. I like DA but I think this trade is stupid…it would be hard pill to swallow even if it was a one to one swap… but losing Jeff Green as well seems outrageous.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
It’s a little weird, I think. One would think that the Hornets would be overjoyed to get Rondo one for one. That’s as close to an even trade as one can hope for in the situation they are in. In fact, it’s close to an even trade in any situation. Personally, I would want Rondo more than Chris Paul.
But I think the Hornets know that once Danny has fixated on a trade, he almost has to make it. Remember, there were reports that Danny’s original idea last spring was to trade Perkins for Harden. That actually would have made some sense. OKC wouldn’t give up Harden, supposedly, and it would seem that they manipulated Danny into taking the Green trade instead, because he basically refuse to take no for an answer.
For God’s sake Danny, sometimes the person who tells you “no” is doing you a favor!
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
You are painting a picture of Danny as if he were a child fixated on a new toy. Could he really be that infantile?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the answer is no. DA a GM for a reason. He must have a reason for seeking this trade. I say let him do his job and we’ll worry about the results later
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[...] Daniels, Boston Celtics expected to reuniteThaddeus Young on Boston Celtics’ wish list?Boston Celtics leading Chris Paul trade race? Celtics Title Town Is Paul for Rondo Really a ‘No-Brainer’?Paul talks have cooled,but [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I really don’t understand why you guys resort to painting Danny Ainge as an obsessed madman. I think it’s clear that Chris Paul and Dwight Howard were in his cross-hairs long ago. I think it’s what convinced Doc Rivers to sign up for 5 more years. He’s pushing hard for this because he knows that if the Lakers get either/both of those players through trades/free agency we’ll be irrelevant and they’re likely to raise about 3-5 more banners in the next few years. This is a huge risk but I’m behind Danny 100%. Rondo’s awesome. I love the kid but without the big 3 and with his inability to consistently hit jumpers/free throws I say do the trade. I really can’t imagine DH12 turning Boston down with Rivers as the coach, a still-effective Pierce and Chris Paul at the point. It’s really our best chance to nab him and more banners. Ainge and Rivers both know it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
CP3 is NOT GOING TO BE a Celtic anytime soon. Who knows what’s in DA’s head (other than paul who is telpathic with DA)??? All these bogus rumors have everyone ripping DA, RR, etc. The proposed ‘trade’ makes absolutely no sense as why would anyone give up 4 more yrs of RR, JG and two 1st rounders for CP3 and one season since he has already said he will not sign an extension (the one comment everyone should be believing but are forgetting)? Come’on…that’s the dumbest trade offer I’ve ever heard since my Vikes traded for Herschel Walker and set themselves back a good 5 years with that stupid move. Let’s move on… as this bs speculation is getting real f’in old and lame. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
FYI…apparently Chandler is headed to the Knicks and CP3 will follow so hopefully all these bs Celtics’ trade rumors for CP3 will finally go away. Go Cs…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is what I’ve suspected is the case all along.
People keep comparing the trades that DA has done to this situation (like Perkins)…but did anyone even KNOW about the Perk trade until it was done???
New Orleans is leaking stuff and I say it’s garbage.
There’s no way the C’s are offering Rondo, Green and 2 1st for CP3. DA may have made some headscratching decisions, but being shrewd is something he does well. This trade would be WAAAAY more than what Paul is worth, so I doubt that this is the real offer DA is giving…unless the picks are in like 2015.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am getting really pissed about all of this.
If CP3 said he wont sign an extention, what is the point?
Rondo is here for the long run, I’m sure, unless DA screws us over.
The only way this trade could benefit us is if CP3 leads Boston to the championship or far into the playoffs, decides to stay and lures Howard to join later.
And that, my friends, is a long, long shot…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0