New Orleans Hornets' win over Los Angeles Lakers can bring Chris Paul to New York
NBA: New York might not have succeeded in shielding themselves from the defensive Boston Celtics in the playoffs, but they have many other issues left to resolve, the main one in shape of “Chris Paul”.
The Knicks who always dreamed of adding big three to their squad are still wondering about how to add this New Orleans’ point guard to their team.
After acquiring Amar’e Stoudemire in the beginning of the season, Knicks added Carmelo Anthony later in a blockbuster trade that cost them more than expected. The Knicks are now looking for one more star who can combine with these two to bring life to coach Mike D'Antoni’s dreams and drive back hope to the city. Although Chauncey Billups is serving this purpose at present and the Knicks have given the veteran guard a one year extension as well, he is not the one for the future.
There still may be a long time left in the summer of 2012, but the Knicks have already started speculating on the prospects of bringing in Paul or Deron Williams. Paul is at the boom of his career, averaging 24.4 points and 11.6 assists per game for the New Orleans Hornets in the playoffs so far. Not only that, but he has been the main scorer of the team and has single-handedly led his team to two victories over the mighty Los Angeles Lakers so far.
Williams, on the other hand, was traded to the New Jersey Nets recently and is by far, less influential than his New Orleans contemporary. That makes his prospects lesser than Paul’s, who has the potential to score and break the opposition’s defences down.
At present, Paul and the Hornets are on the very brink of elimination against the Lakers, who took a 3-2 lead on Tuesday night with a 116-90 win. If Paul manages to make a way past the Lakers, amidst the growing up-heave, he will emerge as a hero and will also raise his stakes.
The situation however is not as simple as it seems. The chances of acquiring Paul as it is are very few. For starters, New Orleans would never let go of a player who can take on players of Kobe Bryant’s calibre and hound him like a shadow.
For now, the Knicks will have to hope that New Orleans makes past the Lakers in the playoffs. If that happens, Paul will become a free agent next year and the Knicks will not have much trouble acquiring him. But, there are few complications involved here too. If the Hornets do succeed in pulling off the biggest upset this season, Paul may show a desire to stay with the team to see how it compliments his abilities.
Whatever the case may be, Paul and Knicks will also have to be very careful in this regard. If New Orleans sense Paul’s desire to desert them next season, they might play their own cards and do exactly what the Denver Nuggets did with Anthony - trade him to get maximum benefit in the deal. If this happens, the circumstance might prove disastrous for the Knicks who have already lost many fringe players in the Anthony trade, leaving them with nothing but hopes to offer for Paul.
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