New Orleans Hornets star point guard Chris Paul may be donning a Mavericks jersey this time next season. After all, what Mark Cuban wants, Mark Cuban usually gets. The point guard has been involved in many trade rumors throughout his relatively short career but never one as serious as this.
Chris Paul to Mavs
The Dallas Morning News reports a rumor has been swirling around that centers upon the fact that Mavs brass let the powers that be in the Big Easy know before the trade deadline that they would take the Hornets' two worst contracts off their hands in a package for Chris Paul. His four-year, NBA maximum contract extension that kicks in next season could fit on the Mavericks books, if they make some necessary budget cuts. Acquiring Paul, a perennial MVP candidate who has not even hit his prime yet, and a couple of his overpaid cronies would make basketball sense for the Mavs. The Mavs recently clinched a playoff berth.
For the Hornets, such a deal would make sense only from dollars and cents standpoint. The Hornets are a prime example of a team that might have to make a desperate, cost-cutting deal due to the economy.
Chris Paul Mavs
Chris Paul wants to stay in New Orleans, the only NBA franchise he has ever known. However, it is not his decision to make.
Paul, a fan favorite in New Orleans is beloved by New Orleans residents for his help in relief work in the post-Katrina years. Fans contend that Chris Paul is the only reason the Hornets can sell tickets now, and the only reason they are making the playoffs. Thus, it may not make sense to ship away prime basketball talent due to the souring economy. Moreover, the Mavs do not need a quality point guard since they already employ Jason Kidd and Jason Terry.
Chris Paul Trade Rumor
Paul selected 4th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by New Orleans has been named NBA Rookie of the Year, has multiple All-Star appearances under his belt, has been recognized on both All-NBA and All-Defensive teams and led the Hornets to the second round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Clearly, at 23 his best years are ahead of him. This past summer he earned an Olympic Gold Medal with the United States national basketball team in Beijing.
This season Paul is having his best statistical year in points per game, steals per game, free throw percentage, field goal percentage, and rebounds per game. He has started in every game he has played.
While a trade to the Mavericks would make sense dollar-wise for the cash-strapped Hornets franchise, it would not boost attendance nor help the franchise in the short or long term even if multiple first round draft picks were doled out by Cuban.
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