When Paul was quoted a few weeks ago as saying he'd be open to a trade if the Hornets aren't committed to building a championship team, it was only a small hint as to the size of the chasm that exists between the franchise and its cornerstone player. Paul, in fact, has put into motion an aggressive exit strategy that will accelerate in the coming weeks, and his clear intention is to be traded before the start of the 2010-11 season, a person with direct knowledge of his plans told CBSSports.com Wednesday.

"He wants out," said the person, who has been briefed on Paul's strategy but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. "He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron's model of teaming up with other great players."

Paul's list of preferred destinations consists of the Knicks, Magic and Lakers, and members of his inner circle already have sent word to the Hornets of his desire to be traded to one of those teams, sources say. If Paul has his way, he's played his last game in a Hornets jersey.

"He feels like they haven't put the right pieces together," said the person familiar with the star point guard's plans.

Paul, a three-time All-Star, still has two years before he can become a free agent. But his dissatisfaction with the Hornets' downward spiral, coupled with the coup pulled off by James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami has only accelerated his desire to seek a trade. Sources within the NBA say members of Paul's camp have told them recently, "He's not going to start the season in New Orleans."

On Twitter, Bill Simmons really wants the Celtics to trade Rondo + Perkins for CP3 + Okafor. He says only the Celtics or Houston have the assets to trade the Hornets for CP3.

WHY would the Celtics do that? Terrible trade, imo.

College Wolf wrote:
I wouldn't call it a terrible trade. CP3 has been in multiple mvp discussions. Rondo has not. Rondo is the man come playoff time and he and Perkins are part of the core makeup of the Celtics so I'd have trouble moving them for anything, but CP3 would give me pause.

pants wrote:
Oh no, in terms of talent its decent. But you have to factor in everything (aka salary/years remaining)

Rondo: $55M/5 years
Perkins: $4.3M/1 year

CP3: $49M/3 years
Okafor: $52M/4 years

For the record I'm playing devils advocate here. I don't think it is a terrible trade, but Boston shouldn't trade Rondo. He fits perfectly there.

Agreed.

There are VERY FEW players in the league you don't trade for CP3... and I do think Rondo in Boston is one of them.

College Wolf wrote:

Add Kevin Love to that list. In fact, he's so good I wouldn't trade him for Josh Smith + CP3. I *might* trade Love for Lebron plus Joel Anthony though.