The Chris Paul Rumor Mill Notebook

Posted by Brian Robb on Dec 7, 2011 2283836 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2011%2F12%2F07%2Fthe-chris-paul-rumor-mill-notebook%2FThe+Chris+Paul+Rumor+Mill+Notebook+2011-12-07+15%3A25%3A21Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D22838

With the start of training camp less than two days away now, the whispers about a Chris Paul deal have become louder and louder. Ryan got you up to date with the latest from last night, but, we’ve had a number of other developments come up in the past 12 hours worth mentioning all over the Internet-sphere. It’s important to take these for exactly what they are however….rumors. Here’s the latest:

From Sam Amick at SI.com

The Celtics have reportedly changed their stance on whether they’d require a long-term commitment before trading for Paul. It was believed to be a requisite to a deal getting done when SI.com first reported their interest in Paul. Sources said their offer includes point guard Rajon Rondo, a 2012 top-10 protected first-round pick from the Clippers, second-year guard Avery Bradley and rookie guard E’Twaun Moore. Another source said restricted free agent Jeff Green would likely be part of that deal as well.

Marc Stein at ESPN.com

ESPN.com reported Monday that in addition to the Warriors and Clippers — New Orleans’ preferred trade partners — at least three teams have told the Hornets that they’re willing to trade for Paul without any assurance that he’ll extend his contract or re-sign next summer. They are the Celtics, Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, with Boston widely considered to be the strongest bidder in that group despite what sources describe as the Hornets’ lukewarm interest to date in the primary players offered by the Celtics: All-Star guard Rajon Rondo and forward Jeff Green.

Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald:

Word from two people with knowledge of the Hornets organization is that things are changing within the club. Having had a further taste of the Paul speculation, the team wants to avoid a situation like Denver’s dance with Carmelo Anthony last year, when the player used his impending free agent status essentially to hold the Nuggets hostage until they dealt him to the New York Knicks…..

Glen Davis could end up playing a part in all this, no matter which way New Orleans goes. The C’s unrestricted free agent has received interest from the Hornets during the past couple of days as they try to put the right pieces around Paul that might make him want to stay (no doubt it will take more than the forward to sway Paul).

But if New Orleans decides there is no way it will be able to retain Paul, then Davis, a Louisiana native, could be a welcome component in a Celtics package that surely will be headlined by Rajon Rondo [stats]. And, according to a source, said package would have to contain more than those two players.

Tim Kawakami f the Mercury News

By the way, this is probably why Boston recently contacted the Warriors to talk about the outlines of a deal potentially centering around Rajon Rondo-for-Curry (which I believe the GSWs flat-out rejected)…

If Boston got Curry, the Celtics would be in position to flip him straight to New Orleans in a Paul package.

I generally agree that Rondo is a better player than Curry, but I agree with the Warriors shunning the swap possibility because Curry is someone whose valuing is still rising, while Rondo’s is about as high as it’ll ever get.

Analysis and the latest updates on a potential move for Paul on the way this afternoon…..