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Something has got to give.
New Orleans is way over the cap and has got do something drastic to reduce payroll......unless there is an AMNESTY.
While watching the Hornets' summer league team play Thursday night in Las Vegas, Chris Paul told a reporter there's chance he soon could be traded.
With the luxury tax threshold set this upcoming season at $69.92 million and the Hornets' current payroll at $78.8 million, they are desperate to dump salaries to avoid having to pay the tax penalty next summer.Due to its financial limitations, New Orleans is the only team in the Southwest Division that has yet to acquire a player through free agency or by a trade to improve its roster this offseason.
"In this league, anything can happen,'' Paul told Pro Basketball News. "I can be dealt. It's possible. It's possible.''
In response Friday, Hornets President Hugh Weber said the possibility of them trading Paul is zero.
"There is no chance of him getting traded,'' Weber said sternly. "I don't know how to say it any stronger, but there is just no deal we would contemplate for Chris. I can't speak for Chris, but I think he was talking about the nature of the business and the fact that the question was asked the way it was.''
Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said from Las Vegas Friday morning he is investigating many things in regard to free agency and possible trades to improve the roster, but he said trading Paul would not meet any of those objectives.
"I have not nor will I enter any discussions for him,'' Bower said."(Trading Paul) is not going to happen. I think what Chris said just shows his selflessness that he's not different than anyone else on the team.''
Paul signed a three-year contract extension that included an option for a fourth year last summer. Paul's contract is valued at $68 million when the fourth year is included.
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