The NBA . . . . . gone and forgotten

[valo403]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

fyp. CB4 was an OK movie, it's still a dumb player nickname. Even Bosh knows it, as he wears 1 in Cleveland.

Maybe it is an OK movie now, but it was awesome when I was 14 and rocking the Raiders black like a try hard

[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.

[Montana Moe]

From @WojYahooNBA:

The Hornets have started to inform teams that they're sending Chris Paul to the Lakers for Bynum and Odom, league sources tell Y! Sports.

@WojYahooNBA: Correction: The proposed deal to the Lakers is Chris Paul for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, source says.

So, does that leave Bynum hanging around to get a deal done for Howard?

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

From @WojYahooNBA:

Yeah they need Bynum for the Howard deal.

[flames_1987]

Another Big 3 team in the NBA in a big market.

[Montana Moe]

As a Blazer fan first, and a Hornets fan second, this pretty much sucks all the way around. The Lakers will be stronger than ever, and the Hornets lose one of the best young PG's in the NBA for a couple big men that are soon to be on the decline, if not already.

Such is life as a fan of a small market team.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

As a Blazer fan first, and a Hornets fan second, this pretty much sucks all the way around. The Lakers will be stronger than ever, and the Hornets lose one of the best young PG's in the NBA for a couple big men that are soon to be on the decline, if not already.

Such is life as a fan of a small market team.

And such is the life of an NBA CBA that solved nothing and we will watch as the Lakers nab Dwight Howard as well.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

And such is the life of an NBA CBA that solved nothing and we will watch as the Lakers nab Dwight Howard as well.

If they do get Howard and Paul, then a Heat - Lakers final is pretty much a guarantee.

[CaptainCrunch]

The NBA agreement is the nightmare scenario that we all feared when the NHL went into lockout last time.

In effect the small market teams are going to be talent feeders for the large market team, both thanks to a ridiculous salary system and giving the players the power to stack teams with their buddies.

If you cheer for a small market team in the NBA get used to seeing you're good talent leaving for other teams.

[PeteLFan]

What great news the best point guard joins the best player and team in the game. Two great competitors and winners together.

[octothorp]

Chris Paul was gone, it was a matter of New Orleans getting as much as they could, and I think they were smart to move him before the season. The New Orleans roster doesn't suck... they got some decent pieces out of it, and if they can come together quickly, they probably finish about where they did last year.

Obviously a great move for LA, they've re-established themselves as a contender in the west for a long time. But if Bynum's knee can't handle the schedule this year, they're going to be in a very difficult spot: a quickly devaluing asset they've got to consider renewing. And I don't think Orlando moves Howard until they get a good look at Bynum. Right now LA desperately needs to add big men and have very little room to do it.

It confuses me from Houston's perspective. Gasol instantly becomes their best player, but they're moving a lot for a team that isn't really ready to contend yet; this isn't a move that puts them over the top.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Who would be the big three in LA with Odom and Gasol gone? Paul, Bryant, and...?

TSN is reporting this is a three team trade with Houston involved, and no players other than Paul are named by it.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Whoops, missed the edits in octothorp's post.

Can we either re-title this as the 2011-2012 NBA Discussion thread, or start a new one? Seems weird to go to this thread to discuss ongoing NBA news now that the lockout is over and the deal is ratified by both sides.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Who would be the big three in LA with Odom and Gasol gone? Paul, Bryant, and...?

TSN is reporting this is a three team trade with Houston involved, and no players other than Paul are named by it.

The rumour is Gasol to Houston; Odom, Scola, Martin, and Dragic to NO; and Paul to LA. Some reports also have New Orleans getting a couple draft picks (a first and a second).

[PeteLFan]

You don't need a big 3 to compete, Kobe and Paul are more then enough. Heck Miami doesn't even have a big 3 is Wade and his lackeys.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Wow I hope that is true! It is going to be great seeing Kobe surrounded with talent like Chris Paul and maybe even Dwight Howard. Can't wait!

[bluejays]

I think it's just me, but Houston had no reason to do the deal when all was said and done. They got hosed. Gasol is not a first option. Great complement player (perfect role with the Lakers), but didn't play hard enough last playoffs. Scola and Martin along with draft picks to NO are solid pieces to work around. Odom in my mind will likely be dealt for a mid 1st. Houston's role is puzzling though. Lakers should be great IF they can get a bonafide PF to replace Gasol.

[Vinny01]

The Lakers are a top 5 most hated team in sports for me. Them landing CP3 today sucks, and I have a feeling they are going to get Howard eventually. They have a solid trade chip in Bynum and Howard will certainly re-sign there. I really hope Brooklyn/NJ is able to get D12 they will be able to offer a decent package around Lopez and will have the flexibility to take that awful Turkoglu contract off Orlando's hands.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by fleury

I think it's just me, but Houston had no reason to do the deal when all was said and done. They got hosed. Gasol is not a first option. Great complement player (perfect role with the Lakers), but didn't play hard enough last playoffs. Scola and Martin along with draft picks to NO are solid pieces to work around. Odom in my mind will likely be dealt for a mid 1st. Houston's role is puzzling though. Lakers should be great IF they can get a bonafide PF to replace Gasol.

From what I have read Houston has been really wanting to add a big to their lineup. I am not sure how this affects their pursuit of Nene or Dalembert but if they still add a center they will have a pretty formidable frontcourt

[flames_1987]

So the trade doesn't go through....holy crazyness NBA!!! Paul expected in New Orleans training camp