Bryant, who is clearly the Lakers best player, was seen walking out of the arena on crutches but says it's going to take a lot for him not to play in Game 5 on Tuesday in LA. "It's going to take a lot to stop me to play," Bryant said. "We'll make sure we stay on top of it."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Sitting isn’t an option. Kobe Bryant will play.

Bryant is the NBA’s most competitive player. He lives for the playoffs; he lives for the spotlight; and he lives for challenges like stopping New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.  

Of course, the Lakers want Bryant to play –even if he isn’t at full strength. The Hornets might be okay with this, too.

In game four, Paul specifically ran pick-and-rolls because he wanted to expose an injured Bryant off the switch. For instance, he flew by Bryant and found Jarrett Jack for the game-winning basket.   

The Lakers even attempted to hide Bryant on defense, rotating him in-and-out of the final moments of the game for defensive and offensive possessions.

There’s a ray of light/gold for the Lakers: they can still raise their game to another level, while the Hornets are probably playing their best basketball.

This is good for the Lakers. They must be better for the rest of the series, especially if Bryant is hobbling on one leg.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Every NBA player has their own way of preparing for the playoffs.

Some turn off their phones to limit distractions. Some go on special diets. Some get extra sleep.

And some, like the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul, get a lap dance from the curvy Nicki Minaj. Watch CP3 'prepare' for a playoff battle against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Paul's comments on Twitter indicated he felt as though his words were taken out of context.

"Come on now people," Paul tweeted, "I did 3 different interviews about the Jordan Brand Classic this morning and was asked if Michael Jordan had influence on free agent signings and I said at the end of the day guys want to win...they askd would I want to return home and I told them I'm focused here in NO and that's the future and anything can happen...Hate when people try to turn things around just to make it a story.. #slowdown."

The New Orleans Hornets gutted out a 121-117 overtime victory over Utah here Thursday night, but in the process may have lost power forward David West for an extended period of time with a left knee injury.

West sustained what is being termed as “left knee trauma” on a driving slam dunk with 22.5 to go in regulation. West landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled under him. Team medical staff came out and he was eventually taken off the floor in a wheelchair.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Who would’ve thought Thursday’s clash between the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz would have everything?

There were buzzer-beaters, graceful flip-shots from ungraceful power forwards, and injuries.

Unfortunately, Emeka Okafor’s game-tying prayer off the glass and Paul Millsap’s underhand scoop were overshadowed by David West’s season ending knee injury.

West, who was 9-for-16 with 20 points, went down hard after missing a dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter. Today, reports indicate he has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season and playoffs.

Fortunately, the Hornets acquired Carl Landry at the trade deadline. In the short term, the undersized Landry should replace West’s points and rebounds, and keep the club in the playoff race.

(The Hornets currently sit at seventh in the Western Conference. They have a three game edge over the ninth place Houston Rockets, with the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz hot on their trail.)

An interesting thought: has West played his last game for the Hornets?

He was expected to opt-out of his contract and hit free agency July 1st. Perhaps the uncertainty surrounding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and an injury changes West’s plans.

The Hornets have had an ‘interesting’ year: there was Chris Paul’s off-season trade demand; the team got off to a blazing start under rookie coach Monty Williams; then there were the mid-season speed bumps; the NBA, of course, stepped in and bought the team, prompting rumors about their future in The Big Easy.

Now West, their second leading scorer, is done. What else can happen?

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

For months, New Jersey coveted Carmelo Anthony. "I always thought that if I got [Anthony], it would lead to my point guard," King said. "And I’ve always leaned to [Williams] a little more than the other one [Chris Paul] that people were talking about."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a debate that has raged since both entered the league as lottery picks in 2005.

Who is the better point guard: Chris Paul or Deron Williams?

New Jersey Nets Executive Billy King apparently prefers the powerful Williams over the lightning-quick Paul. Of course, King just traded for Williams, so his opinion is hardly a surprise.

He has to support his newest addition.

However, there’s a legitimate case to be made for Williams. His bigger frame doesn’t wear down and suits the flex offensive sets that Coach Jerry Sloan ran with the Utah Jazz, while Paul’s smaller frame is more susceptible to injuries.

Paul and Williams are both free agents in 2012. Both should end up in New York. One will sign with the Knicks; one will sign with the Nets.

Then the ‘CP3’ versus ‘D-Will’ debate will move to another level.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Chris Paul responded to the news of Utah trading Deron Williams with several less than flattering tags directed to the Jazz."Utah traded DWill?? #EpicFail #notagoodlook #trippin #cmonson," wrote Paul.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Actually Chris Paul, you commenting on another team and player’s business is an ‘EpicFail’.

You’d think one of the NBA’s premier point guards would know better or, at a minimum, have better things to do then going 'viral' on the Utah Jazz for dealing Deron Williams.

After all, his New Orleans Hornets are competing for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference and their future in The Bayou is uncertain.

Apparently this isn’t enough to occupy Paul’s time. He feels the need to speak up -in a manner befitting of a Twilight obsessed pre-teen- on the Jazz moving their franchise face.

To quote Paul: this is ‘notagoodlook’.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Chauncey Billups, who had a non-guaranteed contract for the 11-12 season, but that deal will not be bought out. Billups is locked into his $14.2 million contract for the 11-12 season, according to a source. Because Billups' contract will expire for the 2012 offseason, the Knicks retain the flexibility to acquire a potential free agent such as Chris Paul or Deron Williams.

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Deron Williams began informing associates after last season that if Amar'e Stoudemire wound up in New York, he would follow him there as a free agent in 2012, according to sources.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Today, the NBA announced their starting line-up for the February 20th All-Star game in Los Angeles.

Of course, the fans vote in the starters. And the Western and Eastern Conference’s line-ups are filled with the usual suspects. Check out the list below and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

Western Conference:

G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

G Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

F Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

C Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Eastern Conference:

G Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

G Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

F LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

F Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

C Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

 --Oly Sandor

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"Right now, in New York we have a solid team," Stoudemire said. "We don't really need much. We're playing well. We feel like the team we have can be very successful if we keep improving individually and as a team on the defensive end."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Suddenly, Amar’e Stoudemire is singing a different tune.

When the Standing Tall and Talented Post signed with the New York Knicks, he promised he’d recruit two or three of his superstar buddies –like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and possibly Tony Parker.

Well, Paul isn’t leaving New Orleans in the near term, unless the Hornets franchise leaves New Orleans. Parker has re-signed with the rejuvenated San Antonio Spurs.

Knick-nation can probably cross Anthony off the list, too, which doesn’t bother Stoudemire. Not one bit. 

Winning has changed things. After years of dysfunction, disgust, and dreadful basketball, New York is relevant. There’s chemistry. And Stoudemire doesn’t want to blow things up for Anthony.

Anthony, as a volume shooter, has to get his. His demand for touches and shots would surely impact Stoudemire and his supporting cast of Wilson Chandler, Ray Felton, Danillo Gallineri, and the promising Landry Fields.

And that impact could be good or bad. So Stoudemire seems comfortable with the status-quo. Hopefully, that appeases New York and Knick-nation.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

After the anticipated lockout ends, Howard will be entering the final year of his contract followed by an early-termination option for 2012-13.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: What happens in Orlando if Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu fail to appease Dwight Howard?

Expect Howard to become a free agent following the 2012 season by exercising a player’s option. He’ll then look to partner with fellow free agent superstars like Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, and Deron Williams.

Gatorade Slam Dunk Contests, pearly white smiles, and jokes aside, Howard wants to win. He’s envious of the Three Kings in Miami and Big Four in Boston.

If the Magic can’t provide the right supporting cast, Howard will provide it for himself -even if that means leaving.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The New Orleans Hornets and Toronto Raptors are in serious discussions on a five-player trade that would send Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless to the Raptors for Jarrett Jack and David Anderson and Marcus Banks, a source told ESPN.com Saturday.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This swap would be a win-win for both parties.

The rebuilding Toronto Raptors would attain Peja Stojakovic’s expiring contract and developing piece Jerryd Bayless, while the New Orleans Hornets would add an experienced combo guard in Jarrett Jack.

The deal was nearly made official yesterday; however, the Raptors and Hornets were still ironing out last minute details, specifically the amount of cash that would change hands.

Here’s the key point: the Raptors are starting over, the Hornets, after some mediocre seasons, are back.

After losing Chris Bosh in The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010 to the Miami Heat, The Big Smoke is in makeover mode. They want financial flexibility, young talent, and draft picks.

Enter Stojakovic and Bayless. The Euro sharpshooter is in the last year of a multi-year pact; Bayless is a 22 year old with upside.

Meanwhile, New Orleans –under rookie coach Monty Williams’ defensive system- is highly competitive. Jack, who can play both guard spots, will bolster their bench. 

Expect the Georgia Tech grad to relieve superstar Chris Paul and spell Marco Bellinelli at the two-spot.

Most importantly, this deal would show Chris Paul that the Hornets want to win.

Expect Toronto and New Orleans to continue talking. There are too many benefits not to.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below. 

The price that the Nets would pay for Anthony in what would be a multi-team trade would be steep.

Yahoo said the Nuggets wanted power forward Derrick Favours, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft, and a protected 2012 first-round pick the Nets received from Golden State.

The Utah Jazz and Charlotte Bobcats also would be involved in the trade and Yahoo reported that the Bobcats would get all-star point guard Devin Harris from the Nets.

Charlotte would send forward Boris Diaw to the Jazz, who would send forward Andrei Kirilenko to the Nuggets. The Nets would also get point guard D.J. Augustin from the Bobcats.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The prodigal son may or may not return to his place of birth.

Word is the Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets trade rumor has hit a snag. Such is life when dealing with a diva/superstar and a four-team blockbuster that’s more complicated than those derivative mortgages that ushered in the global recession.

Here are a few of the issues:

•    Anthony, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July, has yet to agree to a multi-year extension with the Nets. No extension. No deal.

•    Anthony also isn’t sold on the Nets. He’s desperate to play with superstar pal Chris Paul, who hits free agency in 2012.

•    The Denver Nuggets aren’t ready to cut ties with Anthony, their ling-time franchise face. Although there’s been little movement on an extension, the Nuggets may want another shot at convincing the forward to stay.

•    The Charlotte Bobcats are having second thoughts on including young point guard D.J. Augustine. Right now, the NBA is stacked with point guards, but Augustine could still develop.

Make no mistake about it, this hinges on Anthony. If he wants to be a Net, the deal happens. All involved will acommodate.

Like the Nuggets’ offence, the ball is in Melo's hands. Everyone is watching to see what he'll do.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

 Rudy Fernandez, according to a source, rejected a possible trade to New Orleans, where he could have played for former Blazers assistant Monty Williams, now the Hornets' coach.

 --Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

 “For most guys, when you are traded to a team that was successful, it’s hard to fit in right away,” Williams told SN. “The dynamic of fitting in, it’s not always right there and it’s probably not fair to Emeka to just expect him to come in and fit in right away. Emeka will have to find ways to be efficient. I think we have done some things—added some shooters—who will make things easier on Emeka. Now that he is adjusted, I think he is going to have a very good year.”

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Monty Williams knows he must get more from Emeka Okafor.

What other option does the first year sideline boss have?

After all, the New Orleans Hornets have been unsuccessful in their attempts to move the struggling post. In these dire economic times, no team would consider taking  the remaining four years and $51 million on Okafor’s contract.

The Hornets reportedly resorted to packaging his big ticket with superstar Chris Paul. If a team wanted CP3, they had to jump on Okafor’s grenade of a contract.

No team would take the hit -even if came with a superstar point guard. This is no longer an option because Williams and GM Dell Demps have taken Paul off the trading block.

Bottom line: Okafor, not Williams, is responsible for righting his career. Instead of sitting out training camp and practices with what some deemed as minor injuries, he could endear himself to the organization by managing pain.

So Okafor, Williams, and the Hornets are together for the long haul. All parties must make it work.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"You can say it has settled down now, but it was settled before that," Williams told Sporting News. "For me, it was never an issue. Chris never said anything about a trade. He never asked for a trade. He wants us to be a better team, but we all want that and Dell [Demps] and I are going to do all that we can to make it a better team. We're going to make this a better team with Chris here."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Credit rookie coach Monty Williams for getting one thing: Chris Paul is his and the New Orleans Hornets’ meal ticket.

Maybe Paul requested a trade. Maybe not. Regardless, Williams won’t throw his best player under the preverbal bus and into the media firestorm.

According to Williams, Paul doesn’t want a trade, but does want the team to improve. Translation: ownership better splurge on some high-priced talent or CP3 bolts as a free agent in 2012. 

For that to happen, George Shinn - the club’s owner and the NBA's most dysfunctional rich old guy other than the Clippers’ Donald Sterling and Knicks’ James Dolan – must finally sell the Hornets to Louisiana billionaire Gary Chouest.

Chouest loves hoops. Chouest is also filthy rich and will spend some of his considerable shipping empire on bringing a contender to The Bayou.

So Williams is right to protect Paul. Perhaps the organization eventually appeases him. However, this doesn't happen unless a change in ownership occurs.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Stefan Bondy: Asked eva longoria if tony parker wants to play in new york: her answer, "yes"

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: No surprise here.

The Desperate Housewife wants hubby Tony Parker to take his talent to the media capital of the world, New York City. So Parker - a free agent at season's end - could be on the move.

The San Antonio Spurs have young George Hill waiting in the wings at point guard. And Manu Ginobili found his game when Parker was injured during the latter months of the 2010 regular season.

A move to New York is slightly more complicated than Mr. and Mrs. Eva Longoria realize, though.

The Knicks have their eyes on prying superstar Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. However, the Knicks could add Paul and Parker.

Coach Mike D'Antoni would love the scoring opportunities Paul and Parker would collectively create, and he wouldn't worry about their lack of size on defense.

This isn't such a crazy idea. Remember, Coach Gregg Popovich once considered moving Parker to the two-spot when the Spurs were chasing free agent point guard Jason Kidd.

Now Kidd is bigger than Paul and Parker. He can easily defend opposing two-guards. But Paul and Parker would compensate for their smaller stature by pressuring the ball full court, and they would be protected in D'Antoni's up-tempo system.

Again, it's no surprise Parker has interest in New York. The surprise could be having Paul as his backcourt mate.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Four NBA teams have agreed to a five-player trade that will send Trevor Ariza to the New Orlean Hornets and Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers, two league sources said.

In the proposed deal, the Houston Rockets will send Ariza to the Hornets, who in turn will send Collison and James Posey to the Pacers. The Pacers will send Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets. And the Nets will send Courtney Lee to the Rockets.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Four teams with different agendas have connected for an end of summer trade to address their needs before the 2011 season begins.

The winner in this blockbuster is the Indiana Pacers. While they gave up Murphy’s expiring contract and took back an over-the-hill/overpaid Posey, they also got a budding table-setter in Collison.

The second year point guard is lightning quick and excelled when starting for the injured Paul. Look for Collison to star in Indiana next to Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, and Lance Stephenson.

By swapping Ariza for Lee, the Houston Rockets gain cap relief. This summer, the Rockets spent $87 million to re-sign Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry, while also adding Brad Miller.

Ariza, the Rockets' prize free agent signing of 2009, became expendable after the deadline day acquisition of Kevin Martin from the Sacramento Kings.

Murphy will provide depth and experience to a young New Jersey Nets frontcourt. Best of all, his deal comes off the books at year’s end, which makes him an attractive trading chip.

The loser in this trade has to be the New Orleans Hornets. Yes, Ariza is a fine player. And yes, today they’re a marginally better team.

With this trade, the organization seems to think they have a shot at re-signing Paul. Let’s be real: they have zero shot. None.

Add up small market New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, and owner George Shinn’s thriftiness and the club can’t generate enough revenue to sign a star-studded supporting cast for Paul.

I know this. You know this. Paul knows this.

He’s gone when his contract expires at the end of 2012. There’s no chance of an extension.

Two summers from now, Paul will walk on the Hornets like Kaiser Soze walked on the police station in The Usual Suspects. Unlike the finish of this classic flick, there will be no suspense or surprise when CP3 leaves.

We know what’s coming. This is expected. Like Lindsay Lohan going to jail. Like the sun rising. Or, in my case being from Vancouver, like the rain falling.

So why not trade Paul and rebuild around Collison?

After all, Ariza, while a fine player, won’t appease Paul. He wants LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Miami. He wants Amar’e Stoudemire and (possibly) Carmelo Anthony in New York.

He doesn't want New Orleans. In fact, he won’t re-up with the Hornets regardless of who they sign or trade for.

Rather than face reality, Hornets management is delusional, aiming to please the snooty super model girlfriend (Paul) who is bidding her time until she can break up with them. 

Instead of waiting for the inevitable, the club should trade Paul while his market value is relatively high, get back draft picks, expiring contracts, and blue-chip prospects, and make Collison the starter.  
 
It seems New Orleans’ blunder is Indiana’s victory.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

In a Friday telephone interview, Donnie Walsh said there were no plans for Isiah Thomas to resume a full-time position with the Knicks. Walsh said Thomas had initiated the discussions on returning to the team in some formal capacity.

"Isiah can help us in the areas that he’ll consult with us in," Walsh said.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Insanity is repeating the same behaviour and expecting a different result.

On the surface, it would appear reasonable to call the New York Knicks decision to re-hire Isiah Thomas insane.

Thomas, of course, decimated the franchise. He traded for Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry. He signed Jerome James for mid-level money. And he got involved in a sexual harassment case.

Why would new Knicks executive Donnie Walsh bring ‘Zeke’ back as an outside consultant? Why would Walsh and this classic franchise seek such drama?   

To be fair, Thomas has always been an astute judge of talent. For instance, he drafted sleepers like blue-collar swingman Trevor Ariza and scoring post David Lee.

Thomas can supposedly relate to today’s players better than Walsh and coach Mike D’Antoni. This apparently helped the club sign pogo-stick free agent Amar’e Stoudemire.

And the Knicks are hoping Thomas’ communication skills can land them two more free agents. Next summer, they want Carmelo Anthony. Two summers from now, they’re scheming on Chris Paul.

Perhaps, this isn’t insanity. Perhaps, this is a calculated risk.       

After all, the Knicks have Thomas on their terms. Most of the time, he’ll be coaching at Florida International University. When needed, he’s available to give his opinion on prospects or help woo free agents.

The Knicks will only be utilizing Thomas’ strengths, and not giving him an opportunity or chance to show his obvious weaknesses as an administrator.

Perhaps this isn’t insanity or even a calculated risk. Public relations aside, this type of ad hoc, casual arrangement could work for the team and Thomas.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below?

The Grizzlies are merely lukewarm about Mike Conley's future as their starting point guard. However, Memphis is only going to supplant Conley if they acquire an obvious improvement. They reportedly made a play for Chris Paul prior to the draft and they selected Greivis Vasquez at the end of last month.

LeBron James continues to put his fingerprints on the NBA's most-hyped offseason in history. Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on his Twitter page Saturday that James suggested that Hornets point guard Chris Paul request a trade.

However, Windhorst added that James is urging Paul to stay in the Western Conference to make for a better rivalry.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: LeBron James is surely involved in Chris Paul's trade request.

First, James and Paul are tight. They're boys. Their boys are boys. They've surely discussed each other's situations.

Second, Paul is represented to some degree by an agency that James owns. James' business team are Paul's business team.

So they have a personal and business relationship. The lines of that relationship are blurred.

However, James shouldn't be blamed for Paul's trade request. This storm has been brewing for some time.

New Orleans is a small market, and lacks the revenue and resources to provide Paul with a reasonable supporting cast. They need time, a new owner, and a revamped Collective Bargaining Agreement to compete.

Paul and the Hornets are aware of the team's current predicament. They clashed over the firing of Coach Byron Scott. And they understand young table-setter Darren Collison is waiting in the wings.

Add it all up and a trade request was inevitable. James probably just encouraged and supported Paul to take his wishes public.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Knicks are willing to trade anyone aside from newly-signed forward Amar'e Stoudemire for Hornets guard Chris Paul, according to a league source.

Paul is scheduled to meet with New Orleans general manager Dell Demps, head coach Monty Williams and president Hugh Weber on Monday.

"Amar'e won't be traded, but everyone else is available," the executive said of New York.

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According to a source with knowledge of his plan, Chris Paul has requested that the Hornets trade him to the Knicks, Magic or Lakers before the season begins.

"He wants out," the source told Ken Berger of CBS Sports. "He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron's model of teaming up with other great players."

Chris Paul as a Charlotte Bobcat isn't crazy. I'm told it's a twinkle in the eyes of this team's decision-makers. There are a handful of places Paul would want to relocate in a trade, and Charlotte - near his suburban Winston-Salem home and possessing a Hall-of-Fame coach - should be among the viable candidates.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a nice thought. Really, it is.

Superstar gets traded to his hometown. Superstar finds mentors in a Hall of Fame coach and retired superstar turned owner. Hall of Fame coach and retired superstar turned owner take the current superstar under their wing. The current superstar then leads his hometown to greatness.

Now for reality.

Chris Paul is not leaving small market New Orleans for small market Charlotte. It doesn’t matter that the Bobcats play near his home in Winston-Salem. Or that Larry Brown, for now, runs the sideline. Or that Michael Jordan is the majority owner.

Paul is about one thing: winning. 

The Bobcats would be too similar to New Orleans. They wouldn’t generate enough revenue to pay top talent and compete for a championship in the polarized, have-have not world of the NBA.

Paul knows this, so he’ll lobby for a trade to a major market like New York, New Jersey, or Miami. If his efforts for a trade fail, he’ll play out his contract and pick his new club as an unrestricted free agent in 2012.

And that – hometown or not – won’t be Charlotte.

--Oly Sandor.

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``A few weeks after the 2008 Summer Olympics, Someone Who Knows Things told me the following rumor: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Chris Paul became such good friends during the 2007 Olympic trials, and then during their 2008 Olympics excursion in Beijing, that they actually made a pact in China to play together. You know, like one of those pacts in a chick flick where two friends agree to get married if both of them are single when they turn 40.``

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--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

LeBron James is planning to announce the team with which he will sign during a one-hour special on ESPN Thursday night, ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard has learned through independent sources.

ESPN would only confirm that active discussions for the special are ongoing. But sources tell Broussard that representatives for James contacted the network, proposing that James makes his announcement during a 9 p.m. ET special.

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HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?

After years of speculation, gossip, drama, innuendo, and (frankly) nonsense, LeBron James will finally enlighten us with a one hour ESPN special announcing where he’ll play next. 

Thank you. Thank you so very much LeBron.

Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to win these bizarre sweepstakes. Cleveland is James’ home. They can offer the most money and longest term.

Owner Dan Gilbert has likely promised to acquire Chris Paul - James’ best friend in the NBA - from the New Orleans Hornets. It’s one reason Gilbert hired Scott, the former sideline boss with Paul`s Hornets.

Most importantly, come Thursday James will have made his decision and we can get on with our lives.

-- Oly Sandor.

Where do you see King James signing? Get at us HoopsVibe News in the comment box with your prediction on Thursday night.

The Dallas Mavericks got the answer they were hoping for Saturday night: Dirk Nowitzki has pledged to re-sign with the only team he's ever played for.

The deal, sources said, is worth at least $80 million and includes a no-trade clause, with Nowitzki making good on a longstanding offer to Cuban to take less than the maximum $96.2 million he could have received over the next four seasons in exchange for assurances that the Mavericks will use that financial flexibility to ramp up their efforts to acquire a top-tier sidekick.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Player and team got it done.

Like Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics, Dirk Nowitzki re-signed with the only team he has ever played for, taking far less than the maximum available salary so the Dallas Mavericks could find him a co-star.

The former MVP will still earn a good wage: $20 million annually for each of the next four seasons. Best of all, he gets his no-trade clause.

With Nowitzki returning, the Mavericks will now focus on upgrading the roster. Mark Cuban will try and ultimately fail to work a sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lebron James.

And despite the New Orleans Hornets' firm denials, Chris Paul is available. Expect Team Cuban to chase CP3.

However, Dallas had to have Nowitzki. He has been the franchise, and will be for years to come.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box below.      

Hornets point guard Chris Paul could become the NBA's biggest storyline once this summer's big free agents sign contracts.

Paul has said that he loves New Orleans, but he wants to see the team start to make improvements to their roster. He's impatient about contending for a title right now.

"(Paul's frustration) is very real, very real," a source close to Paul told FanHouse. "He doesn't see them putting a (championship-caliber) team together."

The Washington Wizards spoke with the Orlando Magic recently about a potential swap of Gilbert Arenas for Vince Carter, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's not happening.

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is close friends with Gilbert Arenas, and he advised the 'sharpshooter' during his recent issues stemming from bringing guns into the Washington Wizards' locker room.  

However, Smith doesn't want to mix their personal and professional relationship. This is wise. After all, Carter's contract is only guaranteed for one season. Then his $17 million salary comes off the books, while Arenas is still owed over $80 million.

Reports have Smith dangling Carter's expiring contract in front of the cash-strapped New Orleans Hornets. And he wants to get back superstar point guard Chris Paul.  

Also, new Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is pushing the organization and fans to re-embrace Arenas. The businessman who brought much life to a morbid Capitals franchise is excited about pairing Arenas with first overall pick John Wall. 

An interesting idea, however, The Hibachi and VC aren't trading places.

Got thoughts on Arenas for Carter?

The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves are close to swapping first-round draft picks, a source with direct knowledge of the situation tells ESPN.com's Andy Katz. The Grizzlies would send their 25th and 28th overall picks to Minnesota for the Timberwolves' 16th pick.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: On the surface, this rumor seems insignificant.

However, it does show that Memphis and Minnesota are looking to improve and will be active during Thursday`s draft and free agency.

For instance, the Grizzlies recently called the Hornets about Chris Paul, while the Timberwolves turned down the Pacers' lottery pick for point guard Jonny Flynn.

Both squads also have larger issues to contend with.

Memphis wants to re-sign restricted free agent Rudy Gay -but only for reasonable money. A sign-and-trade involving Gay is an option.

And Minnesota must decide if forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love can play together. They`ve also got to convince 2009 lottery pick Ricky Rubio to cross the Atlantic and run the offense in 2012.

These teams will be linked to more rumors and will be stay all summer.

Got thoughts?

There have been rumors that the Nets might pursue point guard Chris Paul through a trade. Since they don't seem to be all that high on any of the players they are likely to get with the No. 3 pick, such as Georgia Tech`s Derrick Favors, Kentucky's  DeMarcus Cousins or Syracuse`s Wes Johnson, they could trade the pick to get an established player.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They’ve been making nice.

Since being named coach of the New Jersey Nets, Avery Johnson and Devin Harris have praised each other publicly. Johnson has insisted he’s proud of Harris’ development, while Harris has insisted his development is because of Johnson’s teachings.

Can you feel the love?

Such a dog-and-pony show is necessary because these two had a tumultuous run together with the Dallas Mavericks.

Johnson was coaching a Maverick team that was expected to win a championship. As a former point guard he was particularly hard on Harris, a young table-setter with heaps of potential.

Something was off, though. Johnson quickly lost faith in Harris and signed off on a controversial trade that sent him to, ironically, the Nets for Jason Kidd.

But Kidd couldn’t put Dallas over the top. Johnson was promptly fired. Harris made the All-Star team in 2009, but struggled with injuries in 2010.

Yet, they are back together, insisting fences have been mended and Kumbaya has been sung. For now.

Reports indicate the Nets are dangling their 2010 draft pick in hopes of plucking Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. CP3 heading to The Swamps of Jersey/Borough of Brooklyn makes sense for three reasons:

First, New Orleans is a struggling market. With second year point guard Darren Collison in the wings, they could swap Paul and his max deal for cheap talent.

Second, New Jersey is now a have-market. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov - also known as Russia’s richest man with a net worth of $18 billion - wants to make headlines this off-season. Acquiring Paul, who is arguably the game’s best point guard when fit and healthy, would achieve this end.

Third, and most importantly, Paul is tight with LeBron James, the jewel of the 2010 free agent class. And Prokhorov would surely use Paul and rapper/minority owner Jay-Z to recruit James to the East Coast.

So the Nets are looking to upgrade the one-spot. If Paul is acquired, Harris would surely be dealt.

Before dismissing this rumor remember that Nets’ senior executive Rod Thorn admitted to reporters that Harris and center Brook Lopez do not have untouchable status and could be moved.

Maybe Harris` lovefest with Johnson shouldn`t be believed. And maybe New Jersey trades him.  

Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box.

"Rajon Rondo is the best all around point guard in the NBA. Deron Williams is the best point guard, but Rondo is the best all around." 

(Magic Johnson, ESPN Halftime show, May 22nd, 2010)

HoopsVibe's Call: Forget point guards. Rondo has been the best player in the playoffs.

When looking at their total body of work, HoopsVibe News isn't quite ready to put him above Chris Paul, Deron Williams, or even Steve Nash. After all, Rondo, who's style resembles Jason Kidd when with the New Jersey Nets, has just started playing like an elite table-setter this playoffs.

Here's the real question: if you were starting a team, who would you want Rondo, Paul, Williams, or Nash?

Nash would get excluded because of age, wear-and-tear, and defensive shortcomings. Even with his fine playoff, most would still take Williams or Paul over Rondo.

However, that could change - and soon - if Rondo leads the Boston Celtics to an NBA Title and wins Most Valuable Player for the playoffs.

Who would you rather have Rondo, Paul, Williams, or Nash?