I disagree...maybe that is the case, but if it is, then CHA ownership is very shortsighted....New Orleans is nowhere near to being a ready to compete for a title, and Paul is a FA in what 2 years? Does anyone really believe that Paul would re-sign with N.O. if they continue to remain stagnant? I don't....It isn't like Paul didn't give them advance warning...and what do they do? Go out and sign Luther Head...Yeah, that is going to make all the difference...He is leaving eventually, so sooner or later they are going to have to accept that and trade him....they are better off doing it now (or at the trade deadline) than waiting until next offseason...
It is the same principle going on with Parker right now, he has 1 year left....so if you were POR mgmt would you offer Batum for him? Probably not, b\c there is no guarantee he is more than a 1yr rental...that doesn't mean you don't send out talent (Bayless, Rudy, Claver, picks, etc...) for him, but you certainly don't go "all in" for a player who may leave you for a year....same goes for Paul a year from now...There IS an effect on his trade values by waiting....