BREAKING NEWS: The deal has now been called off as the NBA owns the Hornets, which means they can’t trade unless if someone buys the team. So, as of now, Chris Paul remains a Hornet. Here’s Lamar Odom’s reaction.
As far as many of you now know, the Los Angeles Lakers recently acquired superstar point guard, Chris Paul, via trade.
According to several sources, it was a three-team trade involving Los Angeles, New Orleans Hornets, and the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles traded away Lamar Odom to New Orleans while they sent Gasol to Houston. Houston would send Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, and Kevin Martin to New Orleans as well. The Hornets also get a draft pick while sending CP3 to LA.
The trade is huge for Los Angeles, as their sports market just grew tremendously today as this trade goes perfectly with the signing of Albert Pujols to the Angels in the MLB.
However, how does this trade have anything to do with the Indiana Pacers? Boy, I tell you, it has A LOT to do with the Pacers. If any of you knew, the Boston Celtics, Hornets, and Pacers were discussing a trade featuring CP3 and Rajon Rondo for the past few days, according to Yahoo! Sports.
According to the source, the trade would have been CP3 to Celtics, Rondo to Indy with a package, and Darren Collison, Tyler Hansbrough, Brandon Rush, Jeff Green, and draft picks to New Orleans. Personally, I would have loved this trade. The earlier trade, I did not like it all. The earlier one was rumored to be Paul George or Danny Granger with Roy Hibbert to Boston for Rondo. That would not have been good at all. The trade rumor of George (or Granger) with Hibbert to Boston for Rondo was later dead after Larry Bird claimed George and Granger untouchable.
However, this trade would have been fine. The only loss for Indy would be Hansbrough and the draft pick. Collison would be a big loss, but Rondo is an upgrade. Rush wouldn’t be that big of a loss at all, considering his inconsistency for his career lately. Think of having Rondo and possibly George in the backcourt with Granger and Hibbert. Don’t know much of the power forward, so we’ll ignore that. And then you have George Hill coming off the bench.
But that’s what would have happened if Paul had gone to Boston. But CP3 is now in Lakers country. But man, it would have been huge if Indiana got Rondo. But it looks like it could be dead now. Right now, the Pacers need look forward to making some big signings in free agency.
And speaking of which…
Other News
Indiana will be saying goodbye to two guys have been taking up their cap space in T.J. Ford and Mike Dunleavy. Ford recently signed with the Spurs yesterday while Mike Dunleavy headed off to Central division rival Milwaukee Bucks.
However, according to NBA writer Sam Amick, the Pacers have signed Jeff Pendergraph to a two-year contract. It isn’t a big signing, but it’s a better upgrade over a guy like Solomon Jones. Pendergraph hasn’t gotten a chance to shine really, but Kevin Pritchard made the move. He’s only played one year and was gone due to injury, but I think he can fit fine in Indy.
Another player that could be gone is Jeff Foster, who is receiving interest from multiple teams like the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. Honestly, I’d love to have him back but it looks like he could be heading off.
Other reports have been coming in that the Pacers could amnesty either Dahntay Jones or James Posey to free up cap space. I heard Indy may amnesty Posey and trade Jones to get some people in free agency. Would be wise to do so.
The Pacers have been rumored to get several players lately, like Arron Affalo and Nene in free agency. The Pacers need a big man to start at power forward. Hansbrough is good, but not as a starter. If they can’t get Nene, I either see them going after Carl Landry or David West. Affalo looks like a terrific guy to sign to help in the backcourt. He has so much upside and he is only 25! He plays awesome defense and his offense continues to get better. Bill Simmons said in an article a couple of days ago that he sees Affalo in Indiana. It would be huge!
Right now, the off-season is rolling for the Pacers. We’ll see what they do now since they can’t get Rondo now.
Buy Indiana Pacers Tickets | Buy Indiana Pacers Apparel[...] million, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The deal is pending a physical. more… How the Lakers-CP3 Trade Affects the Indiana Pacers – Rant Sports – www.rantsports.com 12/09/2011 Bleacher ReportHow the Lakers-CP3 Trade Affects the Indiana [...]
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