[octothorp]

Sounds like there are six teams bidding for Paul, and the Hornets are keen to move him before the season starts. The six teams are LAK, LAC, Dallas, Boston, Golden State, and Houston. Meanwhile, New York continues to hope that he'll get to free agency next summer and they can swoop in and sign him. I think GS can probably put together the best offer (with Curry, Udoh, and Thompson as the main pieces coming back), but would also have the hardest time keeping him. They're apparently pushing hard to land Chandler on the first day of free agency (tomorrow), go after Paul, and instantly become a playoff team.
I think a starting lineup of Chandler, David Lee, Dorell Wright, Monta Ellis, and Paul is a playoff team in the west right now, depending on what changes they make to add depth, and how quickly they can come together. Is it enough that Paul would commit long-term? Probably not.

Although I've seen almost simultaneous tweets that GS think they have Chandler locked up, and that New York has suddenly entered and passed GS in the race for Chandler. If New York can land Chandler now and keep enough flexibility for Paul next summer, that would make them a formidable team.

Other rumours: Battier and Eddy Curry to Heat; Telfair to Phoenix; Greg Oden will sign Blazers qualifying offer. Sounds like a lot of one year deals flying around everywhere, which could be the reality of the new CBA: stars still get huge contracts as they did before, while complementary players find themselves stuck on one-year deals as teams try to keep maximum flexibility for each FA season.

edit: more on the Chandler to NY rumours... if it were to happen, they would have no chance to land Paul via free agency. However, the rumour now is that their plan is to sign Chandler, and then send Amare to New Orleans for Paul. Man, would that suck for Amare, going to New York and pleading for other superstars to come play with him there, only to be flipped to a small-market backwater team as part of New York's plan to bring in bigger stars.

edit: new Paul rumour: Houston has stepped in trying to facilitate a Paul to LA trade. Gasol would go to Houston, and a package of Houston and LA players would go back to New Orleans. If true, it's sort of surprising that Houston would be willing to facilitate setting up a conference rival to be even more powerful. If LA can grab Paul without using Bynum, it really does pave the way for them to use Bynum as trade bait for Dwight Howard.

edit: Caron Butler apparently signs with Clippers. Good acquisition for them, since Aminu hadn't really panned out and they were starting Jamario Moon in the playoffs last year.

edit: Dunleavy to Milwaukee.