Chris Paul: What would YOU do?

by bone31crusher on Dec 5, 2011 8:27 PM CST

ESPN has reported that the Rockets would trade for Chris Paul without him signing an extension to stay here long term. This conversation blew up twitter, so I think it's fitting to bring it to TDS.

Mike, Patrick, Red94, BD, and myself were having a discussion on whether or not we'd trade for Paul, knowing that he would not likely sign an extension here.

I'll let the others voice their opinions on here, but I'm completely opposed to trading for CP3 w/o the extension. We do not know 100% that Paul would not sign an extension with us, but it's very unlikely that he would. He's made it clear that he wants to go to New York, or to a team that already has a star player.

Basically, we would be trading our core players for a rental of Paul, then he would likely bolt to New York to join Carmelo and Amar'e.

That's just my opinion, but it does seem all but guaranteed that Paul would not sign a long term deal with us. I'd rather just keep the pieces we have, and then throw a lot of money at a top tier FA in 2012.

If this helps at all, next year's draft is very deep, and an impact player or two could fall to the 10-14 area, assuming we finish just outside the 8th or 9th seed.

EDIT: After reading this, I sound incredibly bias and don't at all give an argument as to why trading for Paul w/o an extension would be a positive, so I'm simply going to give y'all a pros and cons assessment of the trade.

Pros:

- Would definitely be a playoff team.

- More national attention.

- Possibility that we could sign Paul to a long-term contract if he enjoys his time here.

Cons:

- We would have to trade our young and talented players (and possibly picks) in order to get Paul.

- If Paul does in fact go to New York or another team after his time here, our roster would be crippled from the trade, and we would have to fully commit to rebuilding.

- We would look like idiots for trading half of our team for renting Paul.

'Splain yourself in the comments below as to why you chose the option that you chose.

Poll

So, Rockets fans, what would YOU do?

Trade core players for CP3 and hope he signs an extension

18 votes

Keep the pieces that we have in place

30 votes

Hope T-Will becomes a superstar

19 votes

67 votes | Poll has closed

No cursing in title. No pirated material, such as links to online game streams. Do not cut/paste entire sections of content from other websites. Thanks.

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Comments

depends on the picks they want and the "core players", if it's picks form this year and say Scola and Lowry

then sure go for it, how much of difference does it really make difference if you tank this year or the year after? If a complete tear down is in sight, why not gamble it all, if successful, maybe Paul changes his mind, if not, we rebuild from the draft after another year in the bottom

by NVP on Dec 5, 2011 8:49 PM CST reply actions

They want young players.

Lowry, Martin, Patterson and picks would likely be the deal.

"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.

by bone31crusher on Dec 5, 2011 8:55 PM CST up reply actions

That would

be an awful deal.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 9:14 PM CST up reply actions

Patterson is a line I'd draw

anyone else I’m good, though it has to be picks from this year, I’m not giving up future picks

by NVP on Dec 5, 2011 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

No deal.

Hell, i don’t even think many of our young talent have potential, and I still wouldnt trade them all away for a guy who won’t stay with us, more than likely. If we were in WIN NOW mode, yes. I’d do it. But um….we aren’t.

"You know how Einstein got bad grades as a kid? Well, mine are
even worse! " ~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

by TheChuckwagonisrolling on Dec 5, 2011 9:00 PM CST reply actions

I don't think that CP3 is

that much of an upgrade from Kyle Lowry, there is no need for the Rockets to be looking for an upgrade at PG. If we traded away for a “superstar” Dwight Howard makes much more sense than CP3.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 9:13 PM CST reply actions

Desperation on the part of Daryl to save his job.

That’s all this screams to me if the deal goes through. Les doesn’t want to win, he wants asses in the seats and to sell the fans on the hope that maybe one day they can be relevant by doing none of the work it takes to get there. You need to dwell in the toilet to get the pieces to get an established franchise player, either by draft or to put together attractive pieces to trade for one. We don’t do that. We’re not a sexy city that compels people to sign here. Leslie’s idea of “rebuild and compete” is another way of saying “Pay me cause we might maybe make it to the playoffs.”

If we give up most of our core players for a rental of a guy with no interest in the area it smacks of desperation to sell and for Daryl to keep his job to placate Alexander. Paul will sell tickets, at his price, he sure as Hell isn’t going to win more games.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 5, 2011 9:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Isnt

a gamble on a rental actually accelerate the process, either in making a contender or driving our way to the cellar for lottery picks, it would literally make or break, no more of this staying afloat stuff, isnt that ultimately what you wanted?

If we’re adamant about rebuilding from the draft, does it matter so much which draft? Because it’s certainly is not a one draft and done process right?

by NVP on Dec 5, 2011 9:59 PM CST up reply actions

It's a question of degree.

Go all in and be atrocious (which people on this board seem to think is tantamount to us being contracted) or just quit lying to ourselves and rebuild from a nice, strong standpoint. I’d rather keep Patterson and Lowry rather than gut our most attractive pieces and quality rebuilding players for a guy who is gonna give us the finger on the way out of town anyhow.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 5, 2011 10:29 PM CST up reply actions

Pretty much what I'm trying to say.

"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.

by bone31crusher on Dec 5, 2011 10:32 PM CST up reply actions

but then we might get into a different conumdrum(or the same)

It’s sometimes not uncommon for a young team to do well with the sum of it parts, Philly 2 years after AI left was looking good, competed in the playoffs, but never a serious contender, Iggy is a special player, but he’s no Durant or Rose. The Bullls of 04 up until the year before Derrick Rose was compose of all young player from the draft, but until Derrick Rose, they were never seen as a serious contender. After Derrick Rose, They were much more aggressive in the FA , and really didnt keep much from the previous regime, so not necessary any corner stone per say, Deng might be the only corner stone left from the previous regime. Granted it takes less to get into the playoffs in the East, but it’s still a distinct possibility, but then what?

by NVP on Dec 5, 2011 10:56 PM CST up reply actions

what?

You do know that Les is a business man and wants to make money, right? I think his track record speaks for its self and hes a man that wants to try to win now. You cant hate on him for trying to make money!

"Your girlfriend is into them gangstas, and me being a gangsta, i get into your girlfriend"

by marcd on Dec 6, 2011 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, Les is a business man, and wants to make money, and he's raking it in.

Again, I’ll have an article up later detailing my beliefs about this rockets team, the lie that the fans have eaten up, and why it’s shameful that we’ve all fallen for it.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 6, 2011 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

I think one thing that's not being talked about is the financial implications....

If Paul were to come to Houston, opt out and go to the Knicks or whoever he can sign for 75.8 mil over 4 seasons. However, if he gets traded to Houston, opts out, but then re-signs with Houston, he can sign for 100.2 mil over 4 seasons. So, there is a slight incentive for CP3 to stick with the team he gets traded to, whoever that is. Although, it’s quite slim. If Houston were to acquire Chandler in the next week, that might entice Paul to warm up to Houston. Not only will it make Houston a playoff team, but he and Chandler have played some good ball together.
As for the Rockets, I would go to battle with Lowry at almost a third of Paul’s price. If Morey trades for CP3, and he bails, Daryl’s gone. I would get a center, and then dangle the two first rounders for an all-star SF… If you can’t get one, then move up in the draft and get a higher pick. Several bonified small forwards coming out in this draft who can have an impact soon. T-Will, Buddinger, Marcus Morris… Weed out the best 2, and then get back to moneyball.

If you can feel them, they are real.

by jake_471 on Dec 5, 2011 10:29 PM CST reply actions

100.2 million over 5 seasons *

If you can feel them, they are real.

by jake_471 on Dec 5, 2011 10:31 PM CST up reply actions

Money recouped on endorsements and exposure alone in a market like NYC make the difference negligible.

All the vacuum created by Paul would do is force Houston to overpay bad players to meet the salary cap floor.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 5, 2011 10:40 PM CST up reply actions

Chris Paul

will not significantly improve the Rockets, there is no reason to trade for him unless you are setting up a few seasons aiming for a top lottery pick.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 10:46 PM CST reply actions

Can we please just see what we have in our hands first.

For the love of God can anyone here just see that we should first evaluate our talent before giving anything away. God forbid we trade a player away before the season starts without fully evaluating what we have and he become a star or a superstar. Let’s get our guys some experience and some burn. If we want to be so trade happy then we need to try to increase the value/experiment with the unknowns (T-Will, Thabeet, Morris, Flynn, Parsons, Monejunas). We need to be more reasonable about this. We seem to water at the mouth at the moment a superstar becomes available and we don’t stop to think what it would take to get him and if we did we would be left with peanuts.

Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.

by batman713 on Dec 5, 2011 11:20 PM CST reply actions

This post reminds me of a point I saw made on SBNation for the Bills.

The franchise is really good about chasing talent out of town or not appreciating talent on tap because there’s a layer of ungratefulness, which I find Rockets fans to have as well.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 5, 2011 11:38 PM CST up reply actions

Speaking of the Bills

You think Fitzpatrick is sticking around?

by NVP on Dec 6, 2011 12:58 AM CST up reply actions

We're kind of locked in on him after that extension.

Buffalo is the best place for him and unfortunately he’s the best we’ve got. Chan Gailey needs to diversify his playcalling and quit giving up on the run. Spiller had a monster first half and Gailey shat all over him in the second.

My beingadick-butnotbeinganannoyingdick skills, they're impressive.
-TCWIR paraphrased

by BD34 on Dec 6, 2011 1:13 AM CST up reply actions

Honestly, I think people are underestimating how darn good Chris Paul is

This is not a statement of whether we should go after him or not, I’ve had that argument enough times today. But Chris Paul is one of the rare transcendent superstars in the NBA, that series against the Lakers just sealed it. Playing with a horrible roster after the loss of David West, he took LA to 6 games on his own, putting up 22, 12, and almost 7, shooting 55% from the floor and almost 48% from 3. That’s downright ridiculous.

The guy is the best PG in the league for my money and a huge upgrade over Kyle Lowry. I love Kyle, but there is really no comparison. The NBA PG leading 23.76 PER from Paul vs. Lowry’s slightly above average 16.51 tells the tale. Lowry is good, but Paul is exceptional.

There are a ton of arguments as to why this is the wrong deal to make, but please don’t say it’s because we think Lowry is just as good as Paul or that he will barely make us better.

Check out The Dream Shake.

by Patrick Harrel on Dec 5, 2011 11:37 PM CST reply actions

It's that

the gap between Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul isn’t as large as the gap between whatever center we trot out there and Dwight Howard so if we are going to make a big trade, it should be for Howard and not Chris Paul. I always prefer to upgrade positions of weakness over upgrading positions of strength.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 11:45 PM CST up reply actions

I completely agree

But I also think that Howard is going to have more suitors and higher offers that we won’t be able to match if they trade him because he’s younger, plays a more premium position, and has no injury concerns.

Check out The Dream Shake.

by Patrick Harrel on Dec 5, 2011 11:48 PM CST up reply actions

Well I think that we could

make one of the better packages for him because we have lots of draft picks and young talent which is what rebuilding squads need the most. I just think we need to focus on filling our holes more so than a pipe dream about improving a position that we have filled. I don’t think that Chris Paul would even stay here if we picked him up.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 11:53 PM CST up reply actions

Other than Patterson and Morris

what young talent do we have that other teams want?

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 5, 2011 11:54 PM CST up reply actions

Lee is another I suppose

I don’t think those guys land you a big catch

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 5, 2011 11:55 PM CST up reply actions

I think we could

package Scola, Lee, and a random third, along with a bunch of picks and outbid most teams for anyone.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 5, 2011 11:57 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think that's the case at all

especially if we’re talking about Howard or Paul. Short list of teams that can offer more…Clippers, Lakers, Nets, and possibly the Bulls. That’s not including the 3rd team someone could bait into the deal for more picks or young players.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 12:04 AM CST up reply actions

The Lakers can't offer better

offering a rebuilding team bad contracts and late round draft picks isn’t that attractive.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 12:12 AM CST up reply actions

They'd get the picks from a 3rd team

Gasol, and Odom are better or at least comparable players to Scola. Bynum is more attractive to teams because he’s a young center. They can make a better offer by far.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 12:25 AM CST up reply actions

Bynum can't stay

healthy and Odom is over rated.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

Regardless

other teams are more attracted to that scenario. People need to face it, the Rockets have players nobody else wants.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 2:26 AM CST up reply actions

Bynum and Odom

are the very definition of players nobody else wants.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

Apparently not

Orlando and New Orleans are interested in what the Lakers can offer.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 11:22 AM CST up reply actions

You can feel free

to buy that hype all you want, it’s not going to happen.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 3:16 PM CST up reply actions

Probably won't happen

if Paul and Howard get their way and choose where they want to go. Point is…many better offers out there.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 3:21 PM CST up reply actions

The only bad contract

is the Gasol contract. Although if one of those teams traded for him, I’d bet they could unload him to someone else very quickly. Odom and Bynum both have team options after this season. (this coming from hoopshype, so I’m guessing it’s right)

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 12:28 AM CST up reply actions

There isn't a player on the

Lakers that doesn’t have a bad contract, they have been trying to unload Bynum and Odem for a while now and can’t find any takers because of their stupid contracts.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

That's just simply not true

Other teams have been asking for Bynum, but somone in the front office of the Lakers loves him too much. Bynum and Odom have 2 years left, and the 2nd year is a team option. So you’re not locked into anything long term, even though the team trading for Bynum will try to lock him up anyways.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 2:25 AM CST up reply actions

Then they will have some value

next year when they are an expiring contract.

by Bobbythegreat on Dec 6, 2011 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

By the way

Scola’s contract…not exactly a good contract.

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 6, 2011 2:28 AM CST up reply actions

I mean yeah I'd like him

But the fact is that players are less and less likely to play for the Rockets if they still have that whole “nobody is untouchable” mark over their heads the entire season. We need to ensure some loyalty.

If you're a fan of basketball, watch a movie called Sonicsgate. It's free, just google it.
2011 Vancouver Canucks - The closest feeling to winning I've ever had.

by .Bonzo on Dec 5, 2011 11:41 PM CST reply actions

without a franchise player

That’s a tall order. You have no stabilizing force without a franchise, marketable player, therefore all players has to be available, because we cant afford not to

by NVP on Dec 6, 2011 12:55 AM CST up reply actions

Other teams have more to offer for Paul

it’s a wasted argument

by twinkilling0303 on Dec 5, 2011 11:47 PM CST reply actions

That's another thing

We don’t even have what it takes to get a superstar.

Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.

by batman713 on Dec 6, 2011 1:20 AM CST up reply actions

Hasn’t Chris Paul been injury prone the last couple of years ?

by markyman24 on Dec 6, 2011 11:04 AM CST via iPhone app reply actions

No way

Paul wants to play for a big media market and wants to play with other stars. Getting Paul would put us back years if he does not sign an exception, and last i looked point guard was not our problem, it was mainly the center spot.

by since86rocketsfan on Dec 6, 2011 2:48 PM CST reply actions