Chris Paul pursuing a trade out of New Orleans


Ken Berger, CBS Sports
When Paul was quoted a few weeks ago as saying he'd be open to a trade if the Hornets aren't committed to building a championship team, it was only a small hint as to the size of the chasm that exists between the franchise and its cornerstone player. Paul, in fact, has put into motion an aggressive exit strategy that will accelerate in the coming weeks, and his clear intention is to be traded before the start of the 2010-11 season, a person with direct knowledge of his plans told CBSSports.com Wednesday.

"He wants out," said the person, who has been briefed on Paul's strategy but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. "He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron's model of teaming up with other great players."

Paul's list of preferred destinations consists of the Knicks, Magic and Lakers, and members of his inner circle already have sent word to the Hornets of his desire to be traded to one of those teams, sources say. If Paul has his way, he's played his last game in a Hornets jersey.
Well this will keep things interesting. One can't blame Chris Paul who's played the good soldier for several years while playing for one of the worst owners in sports. I'm sure he saw how Lebron, Kobe, Pierce, Ray, KG, and Wade couldn't win all by themselves and wants to play with another star or a better supporting cast. He'd probably settle for simply a less cheap owner. I remember a year ago is when the frustration began while he watched competitors get better while the Hornets were selling draft picks and trading away his good friend and starting small forward (Rasual Butler) for more savings.
Before this whole "Super Friends" thing started this Summer the blueprint to a championship has usually been to combine a top guard/wing with a top big man and then find other parts that compliment the two. Think Drexler/Hakeem, Ginobili/Duncan, Kobe/Shaq, Wade/Shaq, Pierce/KG, and Kobe/Gasol. You put Chris Paul with any of those big guys and he undoubtably has some jewelry.

I think NBA fans are going to be surprised how little New Orleans gets for Paul. Remember what they got for Baron Davis? Though he wants to be traded this Summer I'm not sure I see it happening, but I do see it being the eventual outcome. While he didn't list the Mavs as one of his desired locations, I could see Cuban offering to take a couple loathsome contracts off Shinn's hands and getting in the mix. Stay tuned.