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Report: Chris Paul knows he’s not getting traded to Knicks

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets competes in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Chris Paul may have asked to be traded to the New York Knicks. Or he may not have.

But either way he knows he’s not getting there by a trade.

That is the spin coming out of the report this week that Paul demanded a trade to play with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire in New York. Take these quotes from a story by Ric Bucher at ESPN.

“He has not asked for a trade to the Knicks because he knows the Knicks don’t have anything to offer,” the source said. “He wouldn’t insult the Hornets by doing that.”

The source did not confirm or deny reports that a representative for Paul has told the Hornets their point guard wants to be traded to the Knicks, but league sources say team general manager Dell Demps will not take any action until he hears directly from Paul regarding his intentions.


So to sum up: An associate of Paul or his agent, with or without the player’s blessing, got word to the Hornets that Paul wanted to be traded to the Knicks. Paul has denied saying it (which is why you have associates do it) and at the very least understands that trade is not coming together. Not without a far more complex multi-team deal where other teams get assets to the Hornets.

So now what?

Demps watched Denver last year wait other teams out until they got the best offer they could get (thank you James Dolan) and pulled the trigger. That may happen here. A team sits back and tries to woo Paul and if he expresses interest then the two sides start talking trade seriously.

Also, don’t be shocked if when he is traded it is not a sign-and-trade. He can make more money going the free agent route like Deron Williams is doing.