BROADWAY DREAMS: Superstar Chris Paul reportedly wants out of New Orleans, with the Knicks his preferred landing spot. ( Getty Images)
Why wait until 2012 when you have a shot at him now?
According to an NBA executive familiar with Knicks team president Donnie Walsh’s thinking, the Knicks are willing to include in a trade anyone other than Amar’e Stoudemire for Chris Paul, knowing how badly the superstar point guard wants to come to New York.
The Knicks will soon find out if Paul is available.
On Monday, Paul is expected to meet with new Hornets GM Dell Demps, new coach Monty Williams and president Hugh Weber in the Big Easy, according to a Hornets official.
“Amar’e won’t be traded, but everyone else is available,” the executive said.
Three weeks ago, the Hornets president said New Orleans will not trade Paul this summer and the Knicks and Nets backed off. There is no assurance New Orleans will acquiesce to Paul’s demands.
However, Paul has a new inner circle, firing Octagon’s Jeff Austin and replacing him with LeBron James’ people.
Paul’s new agent is Leon Rose, who is expected at the meeting. Paul signed on to LRMR two weeks ago — the LeBron marketing firm run by James manager Maverick Carter.
The Knicks hope Rose and Carter have more success getting Paul to New York than they did LeBron.
Indeed, Rose is putting on the heat and wants to start gauging interest from teams. Reports state Paul will request a trade at the meeting if he does not like what the Hornets have to say about their rebuilding plan.
Former Hornets GM Jeff Bower is believed to have had a strained relationship with Paul. Bower reportedly had a shouting match with Weber because he felt they should accept trade offers. Bower resigned 10 days ago.
Demps is a former Knicks scout whom Isiah Thomas promoted in 2004 to director of pro personnel, and he still has friends in the Knick organization.
The Knicks are on top of Paul’s wish list, but the Hornets probably would be less inclined to send their star point guard onto the Broadway stage where he can become an even bigger icon.
James chimed in via Twitter, writing, “Best of luck to my brother. Do what’s best for You and your family.”
Orlando, Dallas and the Lakers also have been mentioned on Paul’s wish list, but New Orleans can deal him anywhere.
A Big Easy source said the flak from the Hornets’ season-ticket holders was immense when reports first surfaced last month the team could trade its franchise player this summer.
Paul is not a free agent until 2012, and The Post reported he toasted to a union between himself, Stoudemire and 2011 free agent Carmelo Anthony at Anthony’s wedding in New York.
The Knicks have assets, but are hampered by not being able to deal new free-agent point guard Raymond Felton until Dec. 15.
Also, their three Golden State acquisitions can only be traded separately until Dec. 15 and can not be paired up in a trade. The biggest trade pawn of the Golden State trio is coveted Anthony Randolph.
With the Hornets in the midst of a sale, they
could have interest in the expiring contract of Eddy Curry to save money in a bigger package.
The Knicks consider Wilson Chandler expendable in a trade, but if Paul is the prize, their prized prospect Danilo Gallinari is on the table too, the source said.
Paul makes $15 million this season. The Knicks are $2.5M under the cap, so the trade does not have to be dollar-for-dollar.
Speculation is the Hornets would want teams to take on the lousy long-term pact of center Emaka Okafor, who has four years and $52M left. Okafor is a center the Knicks can use, but his addition negates their chances of offering Anthony the maximum.
A CBSSportsline.com report quoted a person close to Paul as saying, “He wants out. He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron’s model of teaming up with other great players.”
And ESPN.com quoted an insider as confirming the Paul toast and adding “Those [three] guys want to beat the three guys
in Miami.”
Last month, Paul said, “My first choice is to be in New Orleans. I just want to make sure we’re committed to winning. If we’re not committed to winning and trying to get better so we can contend with the Lakers, the Celtics and all these other top teams, then I’m open to being traded.”