Paul, Hornets Near Contract Extension

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main, SDC COMMENTARY

??????????????????????????????????????????? New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul

The New Orleans Hornets are getting closer to locking up their franchise player to a long-term agreement as according to Brett Martel of the Associated Press, Chris Paul’s agent, Lance Young, has stated that he – and I suspect Paul – plan to travel to the Big Easy Wednesday to finalize a contract extension?with the team that would keep the hornets’ point guard in New Orleans for an additional three-to-five years.? What Paul is seeking is the maximum pay allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement – in this case 25% of the NBA salary cap – with 10% raises going forward; a deal as described would earn Paul anywhere from $60 million up to more than $80 million, depending on the length of the contract.

Last season, Paul was the Hornets’ second leading scorer, averaging 21.1 PPG while also averaging 11.6 APG and 2.7 SPG; he also finished second in MVP voting – just behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.? to illustrate how important Paul is to the team, he – after being drafted by New Orleans 4th overall in 2005 – went on to become the NBA’s Rookie of the Year while helping the Hornets increase their win total from 18 to 38.? Locking in Paul to a long-term deal will help an otherwise solid core of players – including David West and Tyson Chandler- and keep the Hornets competitive for an extended period of time.?

You also have to be mindful of the fact that the Hornets are gradually getting better in the playoffs, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs last season.? And also factor in that the Hornets’ braintrust has come to the realization that locking in Paul now will ensure future success for the franchise – the franchise that came thisclose to nearly relocating to Oklahoma City.? So in a lot of ways, the Hornets have improved by leaps and bounds; what is so ironic about the team’s franchise is that they’re enjoying all of this success under the guidance of the team’s current owner – George Shinn.? And to think there was a time not that long ago that they ran?him out of Charlotte.? So perhaps he has learned his lesson about team ownership after the Charlotte debacle.? Only time will tell; he needs to get Paul signed ASAP and only then will the New Orleans public embrace Shinn completely.

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