So much for plans to rename Staples Center the Paul-y Pavilion.
Within the past 72 hours, both the Lakers and Clippers slammed the windows and double bolted the doors on struggles to procure Chris Paul from the Hornets.
With the remarkable point guard’s destination back in limbo, the Lakers and Clippers moved ahead with more pressing business, but figure to get back to Paul now that the angel dust has settled.
Despite Dwight Howard’s abrupt change-of-drivel lip-fake yesterday to stay put in Orlando (if he can also be GM or ease media pressure), the Purple Majesty remains resolute to shake him loose from the Magic. Hence, their acquisition of added resources — a $9M trade exception and a No. 1 pick from the Mavericks for Lamar Odom — to parlay with Andrew Bynum to make a more tempting offer.
If that happens, fine. Otherwise, it’s like Sugar Ray Leonard giving Tommy Hearns a chin.
My Paper Clips countered by collecting an additional asset as well. Yesterday afternoon they were awarded Chauncey Billups off the amnesty waiver wire because their $2 million bid was the highest submitted; the Knicks now owe him $12.2 million.
I know that Billups warned he’d retire if he couldn’t play for the team (Heat or Lakers) of his choice. He may be ticked off, but if he decides to retire he’ll forfeit his entire $14.2 million salary for this season.
I have a hunch lobbing balls to Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan (matched the Warriors’ $42.7 million, 4-year offer sheet) and Caron Butler will appeal to him once he has a chance to think it over.
At any rate, contrary to Howard, who told Orlando’s despondent correspondents, “If it’s meant for me to stay here, I’ll stay stay … if they’re willing to do what it takes to win.”
Paul has not reversed field regarding wanting out of New Orleans. Initially blessed with overriding leverage and exhilarating options, CP$’s, relocation program has narrowed to the Celtics (Rajon Rondo continues to be available) and the Warriors (NOLA wants Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins and rookie Klay Thompson).
Of course, there’s always the chance a phantom team will scamper across the road in front of the Hornets like a deer in late fall dusk?
More likely, the fortified Clippers will resurface and turn over Eric Gordon (asking between $13-$15M per to extend long-term), Chris Kaman (closing out contract at $12.7M), Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s 2012 first-round real estate.
The Knicks were never a real relocation site this season. And now that Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are on the books next season for $53 million and beyond (annual increases) the only way he can transform it into a fearsome foursome is to accept a three-year mid-level exception.
Let’s see how badly CP$ wants to bond with Melo at that price.
New York’s inability to do squat other than offer Stoudemire up (I somehow suspected Mike D’Antoni would deny it … much like he has never fessed up being primarily responsible for pushing Suns owner Robert Sarver and GM Steve Kerry to obtain Shaquille O’Neal), paved the way to the Lakers almost obtaining Paul.
It’s amusing to read how dreadfully wrong comissioner David Stern was for voiding the Hornets-Lakers-Rockets three-way trade, as if he has nothing at stake, as if he were a mere outsider. How utterly ignorant!
Write on the blackboard 25 time: The league owns the Hornets.
Name a single owner of any professional sports team whose permission isn’t needed before a swap of such proportion can be consummated. Think Houston owner Leslie Alexander was consulted by his people before management gave its OK? Think Jim Buss might’ve had a say on LA’s final decision?
The point is, Hornets president Hugh Weber and GM Dell Demps agreed to the deal without Stern’s endorsement. Shortly after getting the word, he invalidated it.
For whatever their expertise is worth (see below graph), Stern relies on a band of advisors — VP of operations Stu Jackson, lawyer Joel Litvin and his three sons — to assess the equality of Hornets trades.
On July 16, 1996, Jackson, then the Vancouver GM, graciously assumed guaranteed contracts — belonging to George Lynch and Anthony Peeler — that allowed the Lakers to free up just enough cap room to sign Shaq. Jerry West has often thought about walking up to Jackson or calling to thank him.
Think Stu was eager to sign off on another superstar joining the same franchise?
In any event, negotiations are now being handled out of the league office. Hornets management is being kept up to date and sounded out, but it was Stern’s group that conducted secondary talks with the Lakers — that failed Saturday night –and discussions with the Clippers that broke down yesterday.
Late Sunday the Lakers were convinced the Clippers had succeeded in securing Paul. Supposedly, after repeatedly maintaining Gordon would not be included, they had relented. The fact, the deal didn’t go through leads us to believe that was the (temporary?) tsetse fly in the ointment.
The reality remains, my Paper Clips possess a whale of wherewithal flexibility
Stay thirty, my friend.
This just in: As a sweetener to get Howard to New Jersey, Jon Corzine promised to throw in a few dollars…as soon as he can find them.