Chris Paul Wants Out Of New Orleans

Chris Paul has notified the New Orleans Hornets that he wants to be traded...to the New York Knicks. According to a source said to be close to Paul, the list is as follows, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trailblazers in that order.

This is not a rumor, this is coming directly from Chris Paul himself. I previously reported that Paul made a toast during Carmelo Anthony's wedding dedicated to the Knicks new big 3, himself, Melo, and Amar'e Stoudemire. And this is directly related to that.

According to the source who leaked Paul's list of desired locations, this big 3 believes they are good enough to overcome the big 3 that is currently formed in Miami.

There is one big problem in this new big 3 scenario. The Denver Nuggets have been consistent in their standing that they will not trade Carmelo Anthony. I imagine that it would take for Melo to demand a trade in order for him to be dealt. That's the only way I see this working because there's no way the Nuggets are going to trade their best player for anyone (who's available) on the Knicks, Magic, Mavs, or Blazers.

CP3 To New York?

Chris Paul has stated in the last few weeks that he will demand a trade from the New Orleans Hornets if they don't make major roster upgrades very soon. That in itself was enough to scare Hornets fans and this next piece of information won't make them feel any better. According to a trusted source Chris Paul intends to leave the Hornets for the New York Knicks.

According to the source, Paul made a toast at Carmelo Anthony's wedding to the Knicks future big 3 of Paul, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony. This would be extremely difficult for the Knicks to pull off this offseason, most likely next summer is when this plan could be carried out. Another possibility is if the Knicks can pull off a sign and trade for Melo now, and then try to get Paul at the trade deadline, but I have a hard time seeing that happen.

This Is How It Looks Right Now

Free agency has been crazier than anyone ever expected. Right now this is how things seem. Wade and Bosh to Chicago or Miami, LeBron's probably staying in Cleveland, Boozer to Chicago if no Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire to the Knicks, and contrary to my last report Joe Johnson is still in play.

Up until Friday nobody thought there was even a chance that Dwyane Wade was leaving Miami, not a chance in hell. But after Wade met for the second time in two days with the Chicago Bulls people's eyes were opened. Now it seems that Wade is actually favoring the Bulls over the Miami Heat, the only organization he's ever known. In a video from TMZ Wade is seen with his agent and Chris Bosh outside a Chicago restaurant. Wade's asked a question on how he would help the Chicago Bulls, he doesn't answer the question, but he does give a suggestive smile to the camera. To support the theory of Wade going to the Bulls, a recent twitter update was made by Jason Goff bodes well for the Bulls to say the least, "Sources are telling me Wade-Bosh package imminent in Chicago." Goff is a radio show host in Chicago and many suspect that his sources are deep rooted in the Bulls' organization. Chris Bosh, obviously based on the quote, is also heavily rumored to the Bulls. The general thought is that Wade and Bosh are going together to either the Bulls or the Heat. As a Bulls fan I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible when I say that going to Chicago makes much more sense for both players. For Wade, Chicago features family ties, a chance to have a good relationship with his two sons, a realistic chance to win a championship, and a chance to play for his hometown team. By staying in Miami Wade proves his loyalty and gets to rot with Michael Beasley for the next 6 years. Even if Bosh goes with him to Miami I still think they're not the favorites to win the East next year because the rest of the roster would be full of the Anthony Roberson's of the world. Do you even know who he is? I highly doubt it.

According to several sources, Carlos Boozer is on board if the Bulls want him. Logically thinking, the Bulls are probably waiting to see what happens with Chris Bosh before committing to Boozer. That makes the most sense. If they do miss out on Bosh, Wade, and LeBron, Boozer isn't a bad consolation prize. Especially because he'd likely be joined by Joe Johnson who's refrained from committing to the Hawks because he's still interested in the Bulls and Knicks.

The Knicks are reportedly closing in on a five year deal with Amar'e Stoudemire but in my opinion that has absolutely no effect on anything in free agency or in the East next season. With Stoudemire the Knicks are probably playoff bound but still don't have a legitimate shot at the Eastern Conference crown.

It seems like no matter how these scenarios play out we're headed for a Bulls vs. Heat Eastern Conference Finals next season.

As of right now the water is still, but the big splashes could come any minute.

It's Finally Here

Free Agency 2o1o has been the topic of many NBA conversations for two full seasons. A free agency period that features LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, Amar'e Stoudemire, David Lee, Carlos Boozer, and Dirk Nowitzki promises to be the biggest splash, or the biggest letdown in free agent history.

For the biggest name of the summer, LeBron James, the winds are blowing towards Chicago. Every move made this offseason is based off where James will end up. The only teams that are rumored to have a legitimate shot at the two time reigning MVP are the Bulls, Knicks (though many doubt that, including me), and the Heat.

For James the appeal of Chicago is obvious. Play in Michael Jordan's city, play in Michael's house, play for one of the most storied franchises in league history, and get his big market team which so many seem to put an emphasis on. It has been widely speculated that James is scared to play in Jordan's shadow in fear that he will be engulfed and lost in the depths of history. However word from LeBron's camp claims that he would be excited to try and create his own legacy. The only possible deal-breaker with the Bulls is that LeBron will not be able to do what he wants or be a player-coach-GM like he is in Cleveland. Let's be honest, Mike Brown was in the suit but LeBron was running that team. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that LeBron made Brown fetch him Gatorade during practice. In Chicago LeBron would be strictly a player and he would be treated as such. That's the best thing for him, it just depends on how big his ego is.

Going to Miami would unite him with the Eastern Conference's other main superstar Dwyane Wade. To me this is more of a fairy tale scenario and the least likely outcome. Is LeBron really willing to share his stardom with another megastar who is arguably better than him in many regards? I highly doubt it. In Chicago he would be playing alongside Derrick Rose who's unselfish nature would help the relationship. In New York LeBron would be nothing short of Jesus Christ Himself, in popularity at least.

Staying in Cleveland would certainly increase my respect for him but I really think Chicago is sitting pretty in the LeBron James sweepstakes.

Once LeBron is off the market all eyes will be on Wade, assuming that LeBron doesn't go to Miami. Wade is also rumored to Chicago. This next piece of evidence is the most interesting. Someone in Air Jordan's shoe division leaked what Wade's next shoe will be, and it bodes well for the Bulls. The shoe's name is "W3lcome Home" and it has Bulls colors. To the surprise of no one, the rumor mill was spinning fast once this information dropped. The other reason to believe Wade-to-Chicago is a possibility is because last summer he sold his house in Miami and bought another one in Chicago. He already has a house for his mother. Why get another one?

Despite the rumors of what his new shoe foreshadows, there is plenty of evidence to support the theory that Wade is headed back to Miami. "Do I want to leave? Nope. Mmm-hmm. I want to be in Miami." That pretty much defines where his heart is. Clearly he's only going to leave Miami if the front office, otherwise known as Pat Riley, disappoints him again. At the end of the day I think Wade is going to stay in Miami.

Chris Bosh, I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, is also heavily rumored to the Bulls. The dream off-season for the Bulls is landing LeBron James through a routine signing, then pulling off a sign and trade for Bosh. That trade would send Luol Deng and his mammoth of a contract to Toronto which clears up the salary cap space to have both Bosh and LeBron. If he doesn't go to the Bulls there are four other locations that Bosh has indicated interest in. They are New York, Los Angeles, Miami, or going back to Toronto which I just can't see happening. After Chicago, I think Miami is calling his name. The opportunity to play with Wade is something that he just can't pass up, if he does then winning is clearly not his top priority. He and Wade would fit well based on their styles of play and I really can't think of any reason why it couldn't work.

Joe Johnson's stock fell drastically this season. He suffers from something I like to call the Ben Gordon syndrome. That is when a player massively overrates his value and rejects an extension only to be forced to sign a worse deal the following offseason. It happens all of the time and Johnson is the latest case of the illness. My guess is that he ends up in New York because that's what happens to the Knicks. They get good players on the decline of their careers, get nothing out of them and go nowhere. Do Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, or Penny Hardaway ring a bell? Next in that line of disaster stories is Joe Johnson.

Some people were surprised when Dirk Nowitzki decided to opt out of his last year with the Mavs and test the free agency market. This one is easy to predict, there is no way in hell Mark Cuban lets Dirk leave Dallas. He's the best player in franchise history and his number is destined for the rafters. In situations like that the player usually stays with the franchise and sometimes it works out (Paul Pierce).

Carlos Boozer's free agency stock raised big time this season. Everyone knows he can play but the issue was always his durability. Boozer played in 95% of the games this season which means more dollar signs for the 28 year old, double double machine. Like Bosh, Boozer has an equal chance of landing in Miami. Last summer Boozer turned some Utah fans against him when he characterized Miami as his, "paradise." There is little doubt that if he's given the chance he will end up with the Heat. If he does end up in Miami, it's safe to say the Heat missed out on Bosh and Amar'e Stoudemire. Boozer is third in line behind those two.

After the all star break Amar'e Stoudemire played better than any big man in the league and guaranteed himself a pretty nice contract this summer. I don't think he'll get a max deal unless he goes to the Knicks because no good team is going to pay that type of money for that many years on a guy they can't depend on. Stoudemire is yet another big man rumored to Miami. It seems that no matter what happens the Heat are going to be getting a great big man.

David Lee is by far the most uninteresting and least talented major free agent this summer. It's not a knock on him, it just speaks to how strong this free agent class is. My guess is that he's going to stay in New York. Lee is a talented big man but he's nowhere near good enough to make any demands at this stage in his career. If he's smart he will try to go somewhere with a future, namely anywhere other than New York or New Jersey.

Finally, this is how I see the probabilities of each player.

LeBron James: Chicago Bulls 45%, Cleveland Cavaliers 25%, Miami Heat 15%, New York Knicks 15%

Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat 85%, Chicago Bulls 15%

Chris Bosh: Chicago Bulls 37%, Miami Heat 36%, New York Knicks 14%, Toronto Raptors 13%

Joe Johnson: New York Knicks 30%, Atlanta Hawks 24%, Chicago Bulls 23%, Miami Heat 23%

Carlos Boozer: Miami Heat 50%, Utah Jazz 25%, Chicago Bulls 20%, New York Knicks 5%

Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas Mavericks 100%

Amar'e Stoudemire: Phoenix Suns 47% , Miami Heat 33%, Chicago Bulls 20%

David Lee: New York Knicks 80%, Dallas Mavericks 12% , Chicago Bulls 8%

Where Will Amar'e Stoudemire End Up Going?

It has been a well known fact that in the last few years the Phoenix Suns were open to trading star PF Amar'e Stoudemire. Rumors have surfaced that Stoudemire could be going to the Cavs in exchange for J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and a first round pick. Adding Stoudemire to the Cavs would be downright scary. The league's best record currently resides in Cleveland and adding yet another force down low would only help.

After the story broke about the Cavs and Suns closing in on an agreement, other teams have sweetened their offer. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN the Chicago Bulls have also made an offer for Stoudemire which he believes the Suns will take. The Bulls are offering Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas, and a first round pick. This would be a blessing for the Bulls for two main reasons. The first is because they can finally get the low post scorer they've been craving for over a decade. The second reason is because Stoudemire's 16 million dollar contract would be coming off the books in the summer of the biggest free agent market in recent history. Basically the Bulls would be renting him for half a season. If he works out, they resign him. If he doesn't they let him walk. Getting Stoudemire is win win situation for Chicago.

The Bulls already have the funds to go after one premier free agent. With this money, the Bulls could offer a maximum contract to two free agents.

My guess is that they would make big offers to both Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh. Joe Johnson has been rumored to be interested in going to the Windy City and at the all star festivities he did little to disprove that theory.

When asked if he was interested in playing alongside fellow All Star Derrick Rose he made the following statement, "He's a great point guard, I think any guy would love to play with him."

Let me tell you what he's really saying: Yes I want to go to Chicago but I can't say that until after the season.

Going after Chris Bosh makes sense because he can run with Rose and he would provide a steady scorer to demand the attention of defenses. If you put Rose, Johnson, and Bosh together with players like Luol Deng and Joakim Noah you're ready to seriously contend for a title.

It's believed that if Stoudemire does in fact move, he's almost definitely going to either Cleveland or Chicago. If I had to guess I would say he's going to Cleveland only because reports are surfacing all over the place that this is almost a done deal. However it makes more sense to accept the Bulls' offer. You get a tough, unselfish, defensive minded PG in Kirk Hinrich. And a big man who fits perfectly in the Suns' running game with Tyrus Thomas. That makes more sense than the Cavs' offer because Ilgauskas sure as hell can't run like he would need to in the Suns' system and JJ Hickson is massively overrated. He's very good, but right now he's getting way more credit than he deserves.

Where he's going is up in the air, but what is certain is that whoever gets Stoudemire is going to be getting a major increase in the odds for a championship....Unless the Nets get him.