With all signs pointing towards the NBA kicking off it's 2011-12 season after all, the hot stove is beginning to heat up with rumors circulating regarding two blockbuster trades in particular. And with the window of opportunity closing in bean town as Boston's big three continue to grow older, Celtics GM Danny Ainge is hoping to find the one piece missing to the puzzle that would help put the team over the top for one final run at another NBA title. According to sources that final piece is Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul which would mean Boston's Rajon Rondo heading to New Orleans. Better known as CP3, Paul is expected to hit the free agent market next off-season and would only be part of the Celtics plans if they were able to sign him to a long-term deal, something CP3 says he isn't interested in.
All of that could change however, say if the Hornets are off out of playoff contention once the trade deadline approaches and Paul wants to play for a team with a chance to win. If not then we could very well see Chris Paul in New York playing alongside Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire next year. But whether or not the deal goes down, the Celtics almost have to move Rondo somewhere given he's been the subject of trade talk for the past several years now which can only toy with ones mind. Despite still being on the team, if I'm Rondo I'm feeling unwanted in Boston and I'm strongly considering demanding a trade if not signing elsewhere as soon as possible.
In other trade news: As the New Jersey Nets prepare to relocate to Brooklyn in time for the 2012-13 season where they hope to start a new chapter, the franchise is hoping they can bring with them a marquee player that can convince their All-Star point guard in Deron Williams to stay and sign to a long-term deal as well as get the Nets back to their winning ways. And while a number of teams have shown interest in next year's biggest free agent Dwight Howard, no team has been more aggressive to land the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year thus far than the Nets. Rumor has it New Jersey is on the verge of offering their own standout center Brooke Lopez and two first round draft picks to Orlando as well as take on the dead-weight contract of Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu in exchange for Howard.
As much as the Magic front-office and fans would like to be optimistic about bringing Howard back once his contract expires, the chances of that happening are slim as the 5-time All-Star has expressed in the past how he wants to play for a contender, a description the Magic don't necessarily fit. For a franchise likely to lose their star player to free agency, the team might be better off getting something in return now rather than letting Howard sign elsewhere and getting nothing. With that said, if I'm Orlando's general manager Otis Smith I'm definitely keeping my ears open to offers. If the Magic do decide to hang on to Howard for the entire season however, don't be surprised if he's playing in L.A. next year donning the purple and gold.
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