Hornets Exec: "No Deals for Paul"

[Rastapopoulos]

If only I could believe this would put this whole business to bed. Kudos to NO for taking a firm stand. I hope they stick to it.

"They say they aren't moving him," one rival team executive said of the Hornets.

Sources with knowledge of New Orleans' thinking said over the weekend that the Hornets' stance is unlikely to change, at least in the short term, even if Paul himself tells the Hornets for the first time that he wants out.

The Hornets' new basketball brain trust of general manager Dell Demps and coach Monty Williams -- with Demps hired by team president Hugh Weber only last Wednesday -- is expected to use their first face-to-face audience with the All-Star guard to urge Paul to give the fledging regime an opportunity to prove it can build a winning team around him.

Yet even if they are unsuccessful with that pitch at the scheduled morning meeting, Hornets officials are apparently determined to hold firm and deal Paul only on their terms and timeline, knowing they have two full seasons before the 25-year-old can opt out and become a free agent in the summer of 2012.

Furthermore:

If the Hornets do reach the point of shopping Paul, whether that's before the season starts or later, rival executives expect them to insist that any trade rids them of the onerous contracts possessed by big man Emeka Okafor (due $53-plus million over the next four seasons) and possibly James Posey ($13-plus million over the next two seasons) as well.

It's likewise believed that the Hornets would open up the bidding to the whole league in search of the most favorable deal, since Paul -- without the no-trade clause that Kobe Bryant possessed in 2007 when he asked the Los Angeles Lakers to trade him -- has no means to ensure that he lands in one of his preferred destinations.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Translation:

We want better offers

 

[STOMP]

Translation:

We want better offers

well yeah... most everything has a price. But seeing how CP is the draw for the Hornets, I fail to see why it would be in their interest to deal him now during their season ticket drive with years left on his deal. People can speculate and cross all their fingers and toes, but the franchise isn't backed into a corner needing to do something to resolve the situation in the short term. It's not like a year and a half from now there will be no interest in trading for the league's best PG.

STOMP

 

[kobeownslebron]

Suprise suprise.

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

Interesting, before they've even met, we now have this report that they don't want to trade CP3.

Then we also have this article from Leon Rose and CP3's camp where his camp is leaking that they are going to formally ask to be traded at this meeting.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68350/20100725/paul_to_issue_formal_trade_request_monday/

Somethings got to give.

 

[inconceivable]

I think the Hornets are putting up a front to make it look like they tried so when they trade him their fans will all blame Paul and not the Hornets for being a terrible franchise

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Interesting, before they've even met, we now have this report that they don't want to trade CP3.
Then we also have this article from Leon Rose and CP3's camp where his camp is leaking that they are going to formally ask to be traded at this meeting.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68350/20100725/paul_to_issue_formal_trade_request_monday/
Somethings got to give.

My guess? The one who is tied to a guaranteed contract is the one who gives. Who is also the one who has a shred of his popularity remaining dangling by a thread, which would snap if he did anything silly like sit out.

Now, it might mean that NO trades Collison for help elsewhere to placate Paul, but as I'm not particularly enthused by Collison (he's a step down from Miller, and not a small one), I don't care.

 

[STOMP]

Interesting, before they've even met, we now have this report that they don't want to trade CP3.

Then we also have this article from Leon Rose and CP3's camp where his camp is leaking that they are going to formally ask to be traded at this meeting.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68350/20100725/paul_to_issue_formal_trade_request_monday/

Somethings got to give.

what sort of weight do you think formally asking to be traded carries?

Dude is under contract

STOMP

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think the Hornets are putting up a front to make it look like they tried so when they trade him their fans will all blame Paul and not the Hornets for being a terrible franchise

But the reason you think that is because you're emotionally invested in him being traded, not because it's likely to be true.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

If Paul is traded, I would expect to see it right before the deadline during the season.

But if one thinks about it, if they can move Paul & Okurfor (or however it's spelled) for expiring contracts, and finish as a lottery team for a couple of years (plus a 1st round pick or two they might get for Paul), they would have the ability to have at least a couple of high picks + the ability to be active in the free agent market. They could build a nice little team.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Suprise suprise.

Can you please take all that fucking purple and piss back to your forum. Unless you want to offer some sort of constructive input, that is.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Can you please take all that fucking purple and piss back to your forum. Unless you want to offer some sort of constructive input, that is.

agreed 1,000,000,000%!

 

[Wheels]

yeah only fans of our team are allowed here!! :shakeshead:

 

[Nikolokolus]

What is all this stuff about the Hornets not trading Paul? I was told by John Canzano that we had this thing in the bag as long as Paul Allen wanted to change his image and "go for it." Damn Paul Allen for not wanting to "go for it," this is all his fault!!

 

[espn_hall_of_famer]

what sort of weight do you think formally asking to be traded carries?

Dude is under contract

STOMP

True. But if an employee and a manager have a knockdown, dragout fight and the employee is slashing his manager's tires and threatening him and his family harm when he leaves the office, then the manager fires said employee. If the union comes back a month later and says you didn't properly go through all contractual discipline routes prior to the manager firing him, thus he must be allowed to come back to work. How well do you think that will work for him coming back to work? Do you think everything will be fine between the sides now? Just because someone contractually said he had to stay employed?

It's nearly impossible to let things rise to this level of a blowup and still be able to co-exist on the same team. So they can do what that want and stick to a contract and have their way. But they'll get nothing out of him by means of trade, he'll walk in two years for nothing, and it's highly likely if they make him stay against his will he will be "injured" for the next 164 games.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think if Paul goes in there this morning and says, "trade me or I walk in two years," the hornets will have to seriously consider trading him. Paul is far too valuable to just let him walk away, but with that said, I could see the Hornets waiting until the right deal comes along. That could take the full two years.

 

[e_blazer]

Seems to me that the probable lockout in 2011 has to factor into the Hornets' decisionmaking regarding CP3, but I'm not sure as to how exactly the math adds up. One way to look at it is that his contract is probably just going to require one year of pay, so why lose out on the ticket sales he would generate for this season? On the other hand, it seems as though the window that they have to make a deal and get anything in return for him is pretty short. Normally, I'd say that the most likely thing is that they wait until the deadline and make a trade. That way, the Hornets get the ticket sales for this year, but don't lose out on getting value for CP3 when his contract expires. The problem with that is that teams may be reluctant to part with resources in February knowing that there will likely be a lockout in the final year of his contract. Obviously, he could agree to a contract extension, but that would require the Hornets to make the deal with one of his "approved" teams...which is exactly where they are right now.

I guess the best bet is still that they hold him to the contract until the deadline and then make a trade to a CP3-approved team, but it seems that the Hornets are risking getting nothing for a major asset by taking that route.

 

[RR7]

I think he'll go in and say I want to be traded, and they'll say give us a chance. he will, they'll make an effort to move Peja and other pieces, probably end up with an overpaid-ish piece that doesn't fit at all, like Okafor, and then the Paul complaints will blow up in the offseason, after they did not improve.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think if Paul goes in there this morning and says, "trade me or I walk in two years," the hornets will have to seriously consider trading him. Paul is far too valuable to just let him walk away, but with that said, I could see the Hornets waiting until the right deal comes along. That could take the full two years.

I totally agree with this. I think the only thing that would expedite that timeline is the looming lockout the year after this one.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm still not convinced that this isn't all just posturing. I don't think it was all smoke and mirrors that the Hornets were talking about trading Paul before the draft, and I think the only reason why they're so adamant about not trading him now is because they're losing all their leverage.

 

[B-Roy]

I'm still not convinced that this isn't all just posturing. I don't think it was all smoke and mirrors that the Hornets were talking about trading Paul before the draft, and I think the only reason why they're so adamant about not trading him now is because they're losing all their leverage.

They haven't lost any leverage...

 

[maxiep]

What is being said publicly is likely different between what is being stated privately.

As for Paul's deal, it's a one year deal. There's going to be a lockout in 2011 that is going to cost next season. No deals can be done during the lockout. Even if they play part of the season, the trade deadline will likely have passed and he won't be able to be moved before he can opt out.

 

[Idog1976]

I'm still not convinced that this isn't all just posturing. I don't think it was all smoke and mirrors that the Hornets were talking about trading Paul before the draft, and I think the only reason why they're so adamant about not trading him now is because they're losing all their leverage.

I think this is what's going on. Contrary to all the people talking about contracts etc. the fact is Paul has more leverage with every passing day. The risk of him getting an injury or their bargaining position with other teams eroding, only increases the further through time you move. The smart move is to take Paul in and try and get him to present a unified front with them, but a small leak to show availability perhaps with the message that the hornets aren't impressed with any offers so far.

Trading Collison to get a piece would be a huge mistake and would limit them in the absolutely certain post-CP3 era in 2012-13. The longer they wait the more risk to the Hornets even waiting until mid-season reduces their possibilities due to potential lock out 2011/12 and also many teams like Portland may move their good young pieces for veterans locking in potential trading partners to other scenarios. IF NOH is smart they get him in there to present a united front and leak that they want better offers from the whole league.

They may very well mess this up, but looking at it from NOH's perspective other then ticket sales ($3 million from a trade more then makes up for that as does salary relief) there is no reason not to trade him now. I can't think of one good reason.

 

[Idog1976]

They haven't lost any leverage...

People like us per Wendell Maxey are low balling them. They lose more leverage every day going forward. Now if they got him to re-sign well sure they'd have all the leverage in the world. As time goes on in this new player driven era CP3's position gets stronger and theirs and the possible return from a trade only weakens.

 

[Idog1976]

What is being said publicly is likely different between what is being stated privately.

As for Paul's deal, it's a one year deal. There's going to be a lockout in 2011 that is going to cost next season. No deals can be done during the lockout. Even if they play part of the season, the trade deadline will likely have passed and he won't be able to be moved before he can opt out.

Another KEY possibility thank you Maxiep.

 

[B-Roy]

People like us per Wendell Maxey are low balling them. They lose more leverage every day going forward. Now if they got him to re-sign well sure they'd have all the leverage in the world. As time goes on in this new player driven era CP3's position gets stronger and theirs and the possible return from a trade only weakens.

Is that your opinion, or do you actually trust said sources (Especially from Wendell Maxey, seriously..)? The Hornets aren't forced to trade him, he's got two years on his contract. That's why I thought this whole thing was stupid to begin with.

 

[Tortimer]

I think this is what's going on. Contrary to all the people talking about contracts etc. the fact is Paul has more leverage with every passing day. There risk of him getting an injury or their bargaining position with other teams eroding, only increases the further through time you move. The smart move is to take Paul in and try and get him to present a unified front with them, but a small leak to show availability perhaps with the message that the hornets aren't impressed with any offers so far.

Trading Collison to get a piece would be a huge mistake and would limit them in the absolutely certain post-CP3 era in 2012-13. The longer they wait the more risk to the Hornets even waiting until mid-season reduces their possibilities due to potential lock out 2011/12 and also many teams like Portland may move their good young pieces for veterans locking in potential trading partners to other scenarios. IF NOH is smart they get him in there to present a united front and leak that they want better offers from the whole league.

They may very well mess this up, but looking at it from NOH's perspective other then ticket sales ($3 million from a trade more then makes up for that as does salary relief) there is no reason not to trade him now. I can't think of one good reason.

The problem with this is CP3 doesn't want to gut any team he is going to. There isn't any reason to go to another team that is gutted and not any better then staying with NO and waiting until he is a FA.

 

[Idog1976]

Is that your opinion, or do you actually trust said sources (Especially from Wendell Maxey, seriously..)? The Hornets aren't forced to trade him, he's got two years on his contract. That's why I thought this whole thing was stupid to begin with.

Yes, it is in fact my opinion and blad faced speculation gleaned from nuggets on the internets...you know like every freaking post on this forum that isn't a stats based argument.

Well they can sit on him and make a mistake of course and not from my point of view as a Blazers fan, but by looking at it from their potential options. I mean what nets them the most value for CP3 at what point in time you tell me?

 

[B-Roy]

Well they can sit on him and make a mistake of course and not from my point of view as a Blazers fan, but by looking at it from their potential options. I mean what nets them the most value for CP3 at what point in time you tell me?

They aren't forced to trade him. What nets them the most value? Keeping him and trying to win.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

As for Paul's deal, it's a one year deal. There's going to be a lockout in 2011 that is going to cost next season. No deals can be done during the lockout. Even if they play part of the season, the trade deadline will likely have passed and he won't be able to be moved before he can opt out.

No, it's a two year deal. (a) IF there IS a lockout, it's unlikely to cost the entire season, but (b) if it DID, you can bet your ass management would not agree to a deal that would let assets like Paul walk away without compensation.