Paul tried convincing Howard to join him in New Orleans

[mtk0660]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...With_Mavericks

Wow i wonder if we had an owner then if things would be different now..


"We were trying to play together, but it didn't work out," Howard told Yahoo! Sports.

Paul and Howard began talking about playing together in 2009.

Howard wanted Paul to join him with the Magic.

"What will you be giving up?" asked Paul, according to a source.

Paul's preference was for Howard to join him with the Hornets.

"I tried to get him to come to New Orleans," Paul told Yahoo! Sports. "It was back and forth, here and there."

[BallSoHard]

Man, Chris really was good to us.I don't blame him for leaving.. he tried.

[joetzeng]

Man, Chris really was good to us.I don't blame him for leaving.. he tried.

So true

[luckyman]

Except on the court, this franchise was in a woeful state. Bush league at every level. Can't hate Paul for leaving when he did or Howard for not coming. No brainer.

[Silverfoxx]

I misss u CP3

[Pilot172000]

Got no beef with CP3. He gave us our first HOFer. Front office ruined what chances we had of keeping him! He even gave us AD!!

[Perth_Hornet]

Man, Chris really was good to us.I don't blame him for leaving.. he tried.

His parting gift was one Anthony Davis.

A greater gift could not have been given.

[Hornetnojersey]

awwwww That was sweet of Chris Paul to recruit Howard and all but it also says that they planned on joining the Mavericks together.

[Inner_GI]

At least CP3 played some games as a hornet. It's more than I can say for some other POS hornet.

[PELICANSFAN]

Wow, that would have been something.

[Metairie Hornet]

Wow, that would have been something.

It would have been interesting, but I doubt there was ever any real possibility considering that we didn't have enough assets to trade for Howard and even if we did they would have been left with nothing to play with if he was traded here.

[LoCo89]

Goddammit I just got into the acceptance stage of grief when it comes to CP3. What with the Gordon knee news and now feel good CP3 nostalgia news... not a good day for me.

[Sneakerhead]

I'm not dwelling on this. We got Brow. We're in good hands.

[Teal Lantern]

I misss u CP3

I'm still holding onto hope that Paul will return to N.O. at some point. I don't care how irrational that may be.

[FlyGirl]

I remember it was not too long ago people were saying they don't believe anything Paul says.

[Hard'n'DaPaint]

Clearly missing him running the offense. It was a thing of beauty !

[da ThRONe]

It would have been interesting, but I doubt there was ever any real possibility considering that we didn't have enough assets to trade for Howard and even if we did they would have been left with nothing to play with if he was traded here.

They were left with nothing in the Lakers trade.

[Miss_318]

I'm not dwelling on this. We got Brow. We're in good hands.

^This

[Smirk]

Don't give CP all the props in the world. If you read the article, it was a very brief courtship.

Then they plotted extensively to get to the Mavericks. It was Dwight Howard that broke up that plan, not CP.

[Metairie Hornet]

They were left with nothing in the Lakers trade.

What trade are you referring to and who was left with nothing?

[da ThRONe]

What trade are you referring to and who was left with nothing?

Orlando after they traded Howard away to the Lakers. The Magic didn't receive anything close to a decent compensation for the best C in the game.

[Pelicans78]

Orlando after they traded Howard away to the Lakers. The Magic didn't receive anything close to a decent compensation for the best C in the game.

Agreed. Terrible trade.

[ohnosono]

Orlando after they traded Howard away to the Lakers. The Magic didn't receive anything close to a decent compensation for the best C in the game.

They waited far too long to move him. They lost all leverage and they didn't want Bynum because he wants to test free agency like Howard does. I agree that the deal was awful but we don't know if they could of done better. We heard rumors that they had better offers but we don't know for sure. Maybe those teams backed out because Howard wouldn't commit to them long-term.

[smittywerb]

Can't hate on this guy whatsoever. He had a legitimate reason to leave this franchise and he did it with class. He didn't hold us hostage, he didn't screw us over, and made sure we were going to get something out of whatever deal we were given. Shame on Demps for biting on the Laker deal.

You gotta love this guy. He doesn't come off as a Kobe or Lebron to me, but a Magic. Respectful but will still embarrass you in the same breath.

[smittywerb]

They waited far too long to move him. They lost all leverage and they didn't want Bynum because he wants to test free agency like Howard does. I agree that the deal was awful but we don't know if they could of done better. We heard rumors that they had better offers but we don't know for sure. Maybe those teams backed out because Howard wouldn't commit to them long-term.

That Rocket deal was the best thing they could have gotten. Or the Net deal. Both deals had them getting young talent and a serviceable center back and picks. They waited too long and got the shaft. The ORL GM is an idiot anyway for not taking back Pau, I guess he didn't want anything to do with that contract.