It looks like Chris Paul has finally told the Hornets what we’ve known for a long time: he wants to play for the Knicks. Last summer at Carmelo Anthony’s wedding, CP3 reportedly had toasted to him, Amare, and Melo forming a Big Three in New York. Now that Paul’s entering the final year of his contract with New Orleans, he’s reportedly making it clear that this will be his last year playing for them.
Paul’s agent reportedly told the Hornets that his client won’t sign an extension with them, and that he wants to play with the Knicks. Yahoo! Sports also reports that Paul reached out to Dwight Howard, who will also be a free agent, to say they need to figure out a way to play together.
The problem in this scenario is that it would be difficult for the Knicks to add both players, let alone Paul. The Knicks already have nearly $40 million committed to Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire next season, and the price rises the following few years. They wouldn’t be able to offer Paul maximum money, so they’d have to get creative in order to sign him.
If Paul prioritizes playing with Dwight Howard over playing for the Knicks, that might be easier to arrange. For starters, the Lakers reportedly are interested in adding both players, and have the assets to make reasonable trade offers to the Magic and Hornets, respectively.
As we said in February, the Knicks could compete with the Heat if they landed Paul or Deron Williams, the other top point guard who will be available. And if the Lakers got both players, they might be the favorite to win the title.
