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| Tyson Chandler does this kinda stuff, is tall, & now a Knick. |
As soon as the NBA lockout ended the talk began. It was being reported through various news outlets that Chris Paul via proxy had told the now NBA owned and controlled Hornets that he would not sign an extension and that he wanted to be traded most preferably to the New York Knicks.
Sure enough the Knicks were hungry for a huge serving of Chris Paul only, New Orleans would be damned before they gave him up to us for belly button lint.
The Carmelo Anthony trade left the cupboard empty for the Knicks. All the top market teams are seemingly in a high stakes arms race and this set the stage for the madness that ensued this week.
Since the Knicks shot off their whole load in the Melo deal(seriously, no tradeable 1st rd draft picks until 2018), there was no chance at trading for Paul before the season finished. Instead the Knicks narrowed down their options, focused on what they could control and had discussions with Grant Hill...again...yes again. Meanwhile cross town rivals the Nets focused on a number of big men including David West, Tyson Chandler and crown jewel Dwight Howard.
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| These mufuckas think I'm staying in Orlando? Sheeeeeeiiit. |
As of today it's a done deal minus the small hiccup of releasing/trading a combo of Chauncey Billups/Ronnie Turiaf, but Chandler has already confirmed it's a done deal.
Knowing Chandler was off the board the teams pursuing him including the Rockets and the Nets stayed active and looked toward other pursuits which would prove eventful. Shortly after it was announced that Chandler was close to the Knicks, Houston jumped in on a sexy three-way with New Orleans and the LA Lakers to score themselves Pau Gasol while getting Paul to LA in exchange for Kevin Martin and Scola being shipped over to the big easy.
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| Someone tell Chris that is not Stern's head |
Despite the fact I thought it was a stupid deal for the Lakers (giving away Odom AND Gasol...without Howard = madness) LA fans went wild...aaaaaand then David Stern, NBA commissioner vetoed the trade already agreed upon by all parties.
Yeah.
Then when fans, media and players and executives alike looked for some sort of explanation as to why?
"Basketball Reasons."
Huh?
Yep. Stern 86'd the trade due to basketball reasons. So that clears that up. The more believable and likely story which was twatted and reported by Wojnarowski, is that owners complained and his lordship caved. Well, the trade was dead until this evening when they got an okay from Lord Stern to resume talks because now everyone hates him and is being mean and stuff. The damage has been done though, it's already awkward for the players who were involved and any trade that does go through now will probably be second guessed.
While David Stern was having fun trying to destroy basketball, the Nets made themselves useful by offering a package to Orlando for Howard and it is reported that Howard has told Magic executives earlier today he is requesting to be traded to the Nets to play with Deron Williams. Alas NJ and Orlando didn't think there was enough action going on this week so it was announce that despite NJ offering Brook Lopez and two 1st rd picks for Howard, they may just file tampering charges against the Nets because they think they secretly met with Howard before getting permission from them.
So yea. It's been a busy week and this is where we are now.
The Knicks got Chandler...just about.
The Nets are close on Howard...and also maybe Nene.... just about.
Crazy week.
