Point guard Chris Paul can't opt out of his contract with the New Orleans Hornets for another year -- and there's no guarantee CP3 would do so even then.
But the North Carolina native will provoke a whole new flurry of rumors after what he said today in a phone interview with The Associated Press when asked if he might like to play for Michael Jordan and his Charlotte Bobcats.
To quote the AP story, which you can find in full here:
"It would definitely be something to think about," the New Orleans guard said Tuesday when asked about the potential to sign with the Jordan-owned Charlotte Bobcats in 2012. "But right now it's all about trying to win a championship here with the Hornets."
In a phone interview with The Associated Press to promote the Jordan Brand Classic high school basketball All-Star game on Saturday in Charlotte, Paul alternated praise for Jordan while stressing that his immediate concern is the Hornets' impending first-round playoff series.
Paul has had some issues with the Hornets -- mostly related to how serious they are about winning -- but those came before New Orleans' run to the playoff this season. Paul allegedly said in a wedding toast last summer that it'd be great if he, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire all ended up as New York Knicks (and now the other 2 are already there).
But Paul coming to Charlotte? And as a free agent, so the team didn't have to mortgage the future to trade for him? Now that would be the best of all possible worlds for Jordan, whose regime so far has been marked by cost-cutting, not by big-time free agent signing.
I'd love to see it, and it sounds like Paul is not adverse to the idea. A whole lot would have to happen between now and the summer of 2012 for it to actually occur, but for Bobcat fans disappointed with this season that ends Wednesday night with a meaningless home game against Atlanta, it's a nice dream.
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
17 comments:
You are getting played, Charlotte. We've all known since the days of Zo and LJ that no big name free agent will sign there. Get a clue. Be glad you are in the draft and hope for a miracle.
Let's get it done MJ!!!!! I'll buy season tixs if it does.
One thing the Bobcats desparately need is a GM who actually likes living here and will sell the situation here. The current GM is on the record as saying Charlotte isn't a "destination city" for free agents.
Yes, this is a small place compared to NY, Chicago & LA. But you have to sell the strong points - it costs a lot less to live here. You can get half of Amare's contract and live it up as much as he does. Like CP3 said, people still gravitate to MJ. We have a proven head coach who took a disinterested team riddled with injuries and had them playing above .500 ball for a good long while. We have a super, if overly-tempremental, leader in Jack, a few good young players and a number of draft picks.
If we had a GM who could really sell thost things instead of lamenting that Charlotte isn't NY or LA, we could convince some good players to come here.
Here's the plan....We tank next season, work off more of those ugly contracts, draft Harrison Barnes with the #1 pick, sign CP3 and Dwight Howard after next season, and then we live happily ever after...So nobody be suprised if we are horrible next year...
People are naive to think this can't happen. After the lockout (there will be a lockout, unlike the NFL owners in the NBA are actually losing money) Charlotte will be in.good shape with their payroll. The new rules will be setup to make it MUCH easier for teams to resign their own players to bigger money and the salary cap will be lowered. Stern doesn't like all this "players depicting where they can go" garbage. Charlotte will be able to sign a stud to.go along with an athletic Thomas and a progressing Henderson who if he improves his ballhandling can become an allstar. That combined with our picks (might be the weakest draft in history due to a rumored lockout, but oh well) makes our future bright.
@Anon.. Harrison Barnes wont go #1 next year. Or any year for that matter.
Scenario A: play WITH two NBA All-Star starters in New York and compete for title in the near-term.
Scenario B: play FOR a team owned by Michael Jordan in the middle of a full-blown multi-year rebuild.
Seriously now, what are the chances that B prevails over A?
One may not like Ben's wording but his point is spot on.
Also bothersome to know how this thread gets no acknowledgement or comments. I saw this on ESPN and was thrilled just at the idea. I bet if it was a "Cam Newton is fully committed to Charlotte " thread it would be blown up. Funny how Charlotte has went from a basketball city to a wannabe football town.
@George. If the next agreement goes the way I think.it will than a team wont be able to pull some nonsense big 3 crazyness. That's why Paul has mentioned playing here. It will be next to.impossible to have a team.give 3 max contracts unless you want the other 2 of the starting 5 to be a shawn bradley and carrier martin with the bench full of 7 adam morrisons.
Cartier *
Chris Paul rescinds.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Chris-Paul-really-isn-t-thinking-about-Charlotte;_ylt=AmKXDTV8iuKvW2lIgdvETqW8vLYF?urn=nba-wp1202
Jason, fair point.
But if anyone will pull it off it's Dolan.
Cash and fiscal responsibility are both meaningless to him.
Good point about Higgins' lack of sales skills, J. I dont think CP will come here unless Howard comes with him. MJ should promise these guys huge Air Jordan deals if they sign with the Bobcats...btw is this illegal? If not could be an advantage
@ Jason ESPN has Barnes at #3 if he would come out this year....He's only going to get better, and the two ranked ahead of him already said they were heading to the NBA this year....So if Barnes stays I would bet the house he is #1 pick the following year.
Just in case you missed this:
Q&A with college scouting director Don Gregory
Don Gregory, the Panthers' director of college scouting, spoke with The Observer after one of the Senior Bowl practices on Tuesday.
Q: A guy who's not in this game but is from Mobile is Nick Fairley. He's been widely linked to that first pick. What's your evaluation of him?
A: "The guy's talented. A blind dog can find a nut once in a while."
That in a nut shell sums up the Panther's scouting department!
Panther fans have no chance with BAFOONS like Don Gregory and Marty Hurney overseeing these drafts.
If Jordan really wants Chris Paul, simply offer up their 2nd first rounder they got in the Wallace trade plus their 2nd rounder this year, that would still leave the Bobcats with their 1st round lottery pick this year and lets face it, they have not gotten anyone worth while in the 2nd round in this teams history.
IT would be incredible to see this player again playing, I'm referring to Michael Jordan not the other man, because even though Micheal is old now I KNOW THAT HE'S SO GOO PLAYING.
Post a Comment