Knicks · Sources: CP3 and DHow looking to unite.... (page 1)

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Chris Paul and Dwight Howard have been in consistent contact recently about the possibility of becoming teammates next season, according to league sources.

Paul and Howard will be the biggest free agents on the market this summer, and their desire is to play together, the sources said.

"They would love to play together if somebody can make it happen," one of the sources said.

The Atlanta Hawks could make it happen. Atlanta, which is Howard's hometown, has the cap room to sign both players to maximum-salaried contracts.

Howard is not particularly fond of the idea of returning to Atlanta, but he would do so to team up with Paul, the sources said.

But Paul, despite recently being upset with the Clippers over the perception that he got coach Vinny Del Negro fired, is unlikely to leave Los Angeles, one source said. He has gotten over his anger with the club and likes living in Los Angeles.

"It would be very tough for him to go to Atlanta," the source said. "He loved Atlanta when they should have drafted him in '05 but not so much since then. But hey, everybody is an option at this point."

The preference for both players would be to play together for the Clippers, according to the sources. Because the Clippers don't have enough cap room to sign Howard as a free agent, it would take a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers to make it happen.

The Clippers would be open to working out a deal, but they fear the Lakers would never trade Howard to them, according to the sources.

But while trading Howard to a team in their own building seems unthinkable, the Lakers are not likely to get a better trade package elsewhere than say, Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe.

Sources say there was a faction of the Clippers organization that entertained the idea of trading Griffin for Howard when Howard wanted out of Orlando in 2012. But others within the franchise regarded Griffin as "untouchable," and there were never any serious discussions with Orlando.

Multiple sources insist Griffin remains untouchable. But realistically he would have to be included in any deal that brought Howard to the Clippers.

Paul and Howard have been communicating via text messages. This is not the first time they've talked about teaming up together.

During the lockout of 2011, they spoke often about going to Dallas together to play for the Mavericks. But their subsequent trades, Howard's decision to opt into the final year of his contract in Orlando and Dallas' current payroll situation seemed to eliminate the possibility of them becoming teammates.

......blah blah.....they want to play together, but they don't want to leave LA.......Or give up money........blah blah!

Put Blake with Pau up front and if the Mamba is 7/8 his old self with some humbleness they could be pretty good.

Blake is over rated, but if Dwight wants to leave at least get something good in return!

I still think Dwight ends up in Brooklyn with sign and trade for BroPez can happen. Its low odds thing of course but Deron is already there. Nets can put a package together and give the Lakes some EuroFlavor that MDA craves too!

Only on the conditions Dwight leaves the Giggle act behind. Saturday Nite Live is not calling anytime soon.

We POSSIBLY could get one of them through a sign and trade as long as we aren't taking on any more salary but, both I see that as being in the reals of pure fantasy.

I wouldnt hold my breath.

Houston and Dallas seem to be the likely destinations if he leaves LA.

Has anyone heard the rumor about Golden State wanting to Shed Lee's contract and a possible willingness to Trade him for Amare since Amare's contract expires a year sooner?

I don't believe it, I expect Lee to bounce back but, its not unheard of.

Dwight to Clips for Griffin and Bledsoe actually makes a lot of sense and it would end up being a good deal for the Lakers when it is all said and done. Turning Bynum into Griffin and Bledsoe would be another crazy success for the Lakers. Dwight needs a more passive leader like Paul to help him instead of Kobe. This would be a good move for all players and teams involved if it were to happen. Long-term it's not the best move for the Clippers, but you are making your star PG happy with still a large window of opportunity to win it all.

DurzoBlint wrote:We POSSIBLY could get one of them through a sign and trade as long as we aren't taking on any more salary but, both I see that as being in the reals of pure fantasy.

There is not even a technical possibility of this happening. We can't do a S&T from what I understand.

IF I am the Knicks I am talking to the Clips about a 3 team deal with Portland to open up room for Dwight without moving Griffin.

Portland: Tyson, Novak, 2014 2nd rd pick

LA: 39th, 40th, and 45th picks, and 20+ million is cap space.

NY: Jordan, Bledsoe, Butler, rights to Pap, and Leonard or 10th

Nalod wrote:......blah blah.....they want to play together, but they don't want to leave LA.......Or give up money........blah blah!

Put Blake with Pau up front and if the Mamba is 7/8 his old self with some humbleness they could be pretty good.

Blake is over rated, but if Dwight wants to leave at least get something good in return!

I still think Dwight ends up in Brooklyn with sign and trade for BroPez can happen. Its low odds thing of course but Deron is already there. Nets can put a package together and give the Lakes some EuroFlavor that MDA craves too!

Only on the conditions Dwight leaves the Giggle act behind. Saturday Nite Live is not calling anytime soon.

exactly I am so tired of this.. I would do Howard for bledsoe and Griffin and ask for a pick, then tell Howard to get the hell out of the lakers uniform and good riddance... these guys really get me sick.. jeez... cp3 and howard are busy playing phone connection when Howard should be at some big man's camp working on his friggin game..

This isn't new info both discussed playing with each other in 2009 going to Dallas to play with Dirk. As we know that never happened. The media needs stories to write so they are putting lots of runners out there to see who's camps bite.

tkf wrote:

Nalod wrote:......blah blah.....they want to play together, but they don't want to leave LA.......Or give up money........blah blah!

Put Blake with Pau up front and if the Mamba is 7/8 his old self with some humbleness they could be pretty good.

Blake is over rated, but if Dwight wants to leave at least get something good in return!

I still think Dwight ends up in Brooklyn with sign and trade for BroPez can happen. Its low odds thing of course but Deron is already there. Nets can put a package together and give the Lakes some EuroFlavor that MDA craves too!

Only on the conditions Dwight leaves the Giggle act behind. Saturday Nite Live is not calling anytime soon.

exactly I am so tired of this.. I would do Howard for bledsoe and Griffin and ask for a pick, then tell Howard to get the hell out of the lakers uniform and good riddance... these guys really get me sick.. jeez... cp3 and howard are busy playing phone connection when Howard should be at some big man's camp working on his friggin game..

You were all gaga with the thought of DHow going to Houston about a week ago..

3G4G wrote:This isn't new info both discussed playing with each other in 2009 going to Dallas to play with Dirk. As we know that never happened. The media needs stories to write so they are putting lots of runners out there to see who's camps bite.

Gotta admit if they could pull that off, that would be a real nice story.

I'd love to see Dirk win another, and Cuban is a great owner.

Would be very interesting if Houston gets him or Dallas winds up with both or Atl gets in the mix and franchises that were prudent end up rebuilding their team while we are stuck with and old shitty squad competing for the 4th seed.

holfresh wrote:

tkf wrote:

Nalod wrote:......blah blah.....they want to play together, but they don't want to leave LA.......Or give up money........blah blah!

Put Blake with Pau up front and if the Mamba is 7/8 his old self with some humbleness they could be pretty good.

Blake is over rated, but if Dwight wants to leave at least get something good in return!

I still think Dwight ends up in Brooklyn with sign and trade for BroPez can happen. Its low odds thing of course but Deron is already there. Nets can put a package together and give the Lakes some EuroFlavor that MDA craves too!

Only on the conditions Dwight leaves the Giggle act behind. Saturday Nite Live is not calling anytime soon.

exactly I am so tired of this.. I would do Howard for bledsoe and Griffin and ask for a pick, then tell Howard to get the hell out of the lakers uniform and good riddance... these guys really get me sick.. jeez... cp3 and howard are busy playing phone connection when Howard should be at some big man's camp working on his friggin game..

You were all gaga with the thought of DHow going to Houston about a week ago..

I think tkf is more turned off at the idea chatter in the background amongst players is being made public not to mention the constant changing story of where they could end up. Thus far Deron Williams remains the sole high profile player who handled his situation properly.

yellowboy90 wrote:IF I am the Knicks I am talking to the Clips about a 3 team deal with Portland to open up room for Dwight without moving Griffin.

Portland: Tyson, Novak, 2014 2nd rd pick

LA: 39th, 40th, and 45th picks, and 20+ million is cap space.

NY: Jordan, Bledsoe, Butler, rights to Pap, and Leonard or 10th

Holy shit yes! In a heartbeat! Let's hope Dwight's serious about this.

Can't the clips sign Dwight and then re-sign CP3 with the bird exception?

I guess that would be at a discounted price though

Amare for Howard....Tyson in the mix for cp3....crazier things have happened....grunwald can manipulate the roster to allow sign and trades. Gotta be creative...if they are wit it, melo cp3 and Howard could happen

EnySpree wrote:Amare for Howard....Tyson in the mix for cp3....crazier things have happened....grunwald can manipulate the roster to allow sign and trades. Gotta be creative...if they are wit it, melo cp3 and Howard could happen

I admire your optimism but I can't see either of these guys being in play for us. I think Howard would be a more feasible "get" but I think he causes more grief than anything else. I'm probably allowing my feelings of him get the better of my judgement but I'd actually prefer to have Tyson.

NardDogNation wrote:

EnySpree wrote:Amare for Howard....Tyson in the mix for cp3....crazier things have happened....grunwald can manipulate the roster to allow sign and trades. Gotta be creative...if they are wit it, melo cp3 and Howard could happen

I admire your optimism but I can't see either of these guys being in play for us. I think Howard would be a more feasible "get" but I think he causes more grief than anything else. I'm probably allowing my feelings of him get the better of my judgement but I'd actually prefer to have Tyson.

Pre-Benedict Flu comments in the playoffs after his horrific play I would agree with you about wanting Tyson more. After Tyson played so poorly and then went to the media to criticize his teammates I am fine if the Knicks move on from him.

CrushAlot wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

EnySpree wrote:Amare for Howard....Tyson in the mix for cp3....crazier things have happened....grunwald can manipulate the roster to allow sign and trades. Gotta be creative...if they are wit it, melo cp3 and Howard could happen

I admire your optimism but I can't see either of these guys being in play for us. I think Howard would be a more feasible "get" but I think he causes more grief than anything else. I'm probably allowing my feelings of him get the better of my judgement but I'd actually prefer to have Tyson.

Pre-Benedict Flu comments in the playoffs after his horrific play I would agree with you about wanting Tyson more. After Tyson played so poorly and then went to the media to criticize his teammates I am fine if the Knicks move on from him.

I actually prefer to move Tyson also but want to do so for completely different reasons. I think he's about due for a major regression due to his age and the number of seasons he's played. Both Lamar Odom and Jermaine O'Neal share similar backgrounds to Chandler and both players fell off dramatically around this age. I think Chandler's play in the playoffs has been a confirmation of this inevitability, which is why I think that trading him in the offseason should be a central preoccupation for our front office while we can still get value for him. That being said, I still prefer Chandler to Howard, which is a clear indication that I'm too biased against Howard to critique him accurately. I prefer that he'd never be associated with the Knicks but I do think that we should look to leverage his situation indirectly to make our situation better. I really like yellowboy's idea to serve as a third team in a trade to better our situation.