Report: Chris Paul wants trade, Knicks top list

Star point guard Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is asking the team to trade him prior to the start of the season. The Hornets, who finished 37-45 this season, have only finished above .500 twice and made the playoffs twice with Paul. Paul, 25, is ready to end the losing and has demanded to be traded by giving the Hornets a list of teams he would like to be traded to.

The 4th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft by New Orleans, Paul has been one of the premier players in the NBA. A three-time All-Star, Paul scores an average of 19.3 points per game, including an 18.7 PPG average this season. During the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, Paul scored an average of 21.1 and 22.8 PPG, respectively, before the drawback this season.

Among Paul's trade list are the New York Knicks, who rank first on his list, followed by the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trailblazers in the top four. Paul, who has made it no secret that he wants to play with Amare Stoudemire in New York, is ready for a chance to win. The plan is that the Denver Nuggets' SF Carmelo Anthony will reject a contract to return to Denver next free agency period and join Stoudemire and Paul in New York to form the next "Big Three" that would challenge the Big Three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

ESPN reports that, "Those guys want to beat the three guys in Miami," a source close to the situation said. A report Wednesday on CBSSports.com said Paul saw what James did in signing to play alongside Wade and Bosh and has designs on doing something similar."

Also, they report that, "the Hornets have scheduled a face-to-face sitdown with Paul for Monday in New Orleans, sources with knowledge of the meeting told ESPN.com's Marc Stein" and that "Paul's demands come in the immediate aftermath of a Hornets overhaul within the coaching staff and front office."

This is going to be a very interesting week and will make for the one of the greatest off-seasons ever if "CP3," as his Twitter name suggests, is traded to the Knicks. New York sports radio has been talking about the subject all day and many Knick fans are excited at the possibility of having their own Big Three.

Boozer to the Bulls

On a day where Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade made headlines, Carlos Boozer could not help but make a little thunder of his own.

The two-time All-Star from the Utah Jazz has signed a five-year contract for between $75-80 million with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls, who were favorites to sign both Wade and LeBron James, went for the next best thing in Boozer.

Boozer averaged 19.5 points per game last season, leading the Utah Jazz to the Western Conference Semi-Finals, only to be defeated by the soon-to-be back-to-back champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Boozer, 28, started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a second round pick out of Duke University.

Boozer will now team up with young stars Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in Chicago with the Bulls. Despite signing Boozer, the Bulls are very much still in the running for LeBron James, their main target this summer. Reportedly, Boozer said he will reach out to James about joining him in Chicago. James, of course, will be making his decision tomorrow night at 9 ET on ESPN, so Boozer better hope to convince James.

In other news, while listening to ESPN Radio today, it was reported that LeBron James was spotted at a New York City restaurant today with new Knicks' acquisition Amare Stoudemire and Knicks great Allan Houston. Is LeBron in the house?

What? Did you think I'd honestly forget to mention LeBron James somehow?

Pettitte placed on All-Star Roster, Nick Swisher Final Vote leader, Amare signs with Knicks

Andy Pettitte replaces Clay Buchholtz on All-Star Roster

From Riveraveblues:
"Via Bryan Hoch, Andy Pettitte has replaced Clay Buchholz on the AL All Star Game roster because the latter has been placed on the disabled list with a hamstring issue. Joe Girardi had no say on this move since Buchholz was elected to the game by the player’s vote. The next highest vote getter simply took his spot, and it happened to be Pettitte. Girardi will have to name a replacement for CC Sabathia, who is scheduled to pitch on Sunday and is therefor ineligible to play in the game.

Pettitte makes seven Yankee All Stars, the most of any team. This will be his third trip to the mid-summer classic, and his first since 2001. Hard to believe that Pettitte has more top five finishes in the Cy Young voting than All Star Game appearances."

Swisher and Votto in the lead for Final Vote

From MLB:
"NEW YORK, July 5, 2010 -- Nick Swisher of the New York Yankees and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds topped the early returns from the more than 10 million votes registered in the opening 24 hours of the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint.

Swisher led a tightly-contested race for the American League's final roster spot, followed closely by Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox; Michael Young of the Texas Rangers; Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox; and Delmon Young of the Minnesota Twins.

On the National League ballot, Votto grabbed the top spot out-of-the-gate over the other four candidates, narrowly ahead of Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals; Billy Wagner of the Atlanta Braves; Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies; and Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres.

The ninth annual All-Star Game Final Vote ballot commenced exclusively on MLB.com and the individual Club sites at 1 p.m. (EDT) yesterday and will continue until balloting concludes at 4 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, July 8."

Amare Stoudemire signs with Knicks

From NBA:
"The New York Knicks finally got a return on their two years of self-induced misery on Monday, finishing up the final touches on a five-year contract for Phoenix Suns free agent forward Amar'e Stoudemire that is expected to be worth around $100 million. A source indicates a formal announcement from Stoudemire should be forthcoming within the hour at Madison Square Garden."I feel great about being a pioneer and showing my leadership," he said at Madison Square Garden, where signs throughout the entrances showed the player pictured in a Knicks uniform and reading "Welcome, Amare Stoudemire."

The deal can't be signed until Thursday, after the salary cap for next season has been set.

Stoudemire and the Knicks quickly found each other last week, each in need of a soft landing place. The 27-year-old Stoudemire was looking for a team that still believed he could be a dominant player in the next few years, despite concerns about his knees and his eyes following serious injuries to each. And the Knicks, who'd sold their fans for the last two years that they'd be a major player in free agency this summer, able to lure the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, were desperate for a splashy acquisition that would give fans hope and add to their depleted roster."

Your links for the day. Had an awesome, yet tiring day. That's for tonight unless anything major happens.

Report: Tony Parker "wants to play with Amare"

From the Daily News:

"The Spurs' point guard is hoping to be traded to the Knicks and has long wanted to play with Stoudemire. A person close to both players said Stoudemire and Parker hatched a plan to join forces in either Miami or New York.

"It's perfect for Tony because he wants to be in New York and he wants to play with Amar'e," said the source."

And this from the Bleacher Report:

"Rumors have been swirling that Parker is very close to be traded to the big apple.

In theory it makes a lot of sense. Not only is Parker an All-Star caliber point guard, but he is a player that does not demand the ball in order to take 20 shots a game.

But do not get me wrong, he will still get his fair share of shots. Also, Amar`e and Parker have both expressed their desire to play together. So that could be an added bonus in the Knicks favor.

The Knicks could offer up Wilson Chandler, a future second round draft pick, and cash consideration for Parker.

It gives the San Antonio Spurs a young small forward to replace Richard Jefferson and a non-guaranteed salary with the second rounder ( the Spurs always find gems in the second rounds).

The cash will give them a bit more cap relief as well. "

New York, get ready for Tony Parker because it looks like this deal is bound to happen. A trade for Tony Parker would be a great deal for both sides. New York would acquire the great point guard they've been looking for and San Antonio would acquire a guard to replace Richard Jefferson. I'm the Knicks I would get on this right away! Make 2011 New York's year! Thanks Amare!

Amare Stoudemire: Recruiting Officer

Amare Stoudemire is making himself accustomed to New York City.

The future Knicks' center's tour was underway last night at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in Manhattan, where Stoudemire saw the Broadway hit "Rock of Ages." However, according to ESPN, "Stoudemire hinted that he'd be putting together a show of his own on Broadway next season."

Coming to a basketball court near you, soon to be playing at Madison Square Garden in New York City: The 2011-12 New York Knicks, starring Amare Stoudemire and featuring Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker.

Wait, "Melo" and Parker?

ESPN:
"I've talked to Carmelo Anthony and [told him] that he needs to come here," Stoudemire said while standing on the corner of 47th St. and 8th Ave. after the show. "I've talked to Tony Parker. Both guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here. So we'll see if we can work it out."

What about LeBron James?

"That would be great," said Stoudemire, who wore a navy blue Yankees hat to the play.

The Knicks, of course, would have to swing a trade for either Anthony or Parker, both of whom are under contract next season."

So, looks likes Amare is going to start working as the Recruiting Officer of the New York Knicks. If the Knicks were to get "Melo" from the Denver Nuggets and Parker from the San Antonio Spurs, they'd be legitimate contenders for the NBA Finals. A complete haul of the roster would be a fresh start for the Knicks, and trading for Parker and Melo would do just that. Hopefully, for Knicks fans, Amare can reel in the big fish in James, but if not, Melo and Parker are good back-up options for next season.

More from ESPN: "Stoudemire confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that he would be meeting with Knicks brass on Monday.

Saturday night, Stoudemire called the Knicks "one of the most historic franchises in NBA history. [New York] is a beautiful city. Madison Square Garden is definitely one of the most intriguing places to play. So they definitely have a few great points on their side."

When asked what he'd add to the Knicks roster, Stoudemire smiled and said, "We'll have to wait and see."

"I love New York, it's a great city," said Stoudemire, who left in a white limo shortly after being questioned by reporters."

Hopefully Amare can bring in the big guys in order to make the Knicks a contender again. It'd be great for the Knicks and for New York City to experience Championship Basketball again.

On a side note: Amare Stoudemire = one of my favorite players now. Why? He's a Yankees fan.

In other basketball news:
- The Atlanta Hawks re-signed Joe Johnson and agreed on a new six-year deal worth approximately $119 million. Johnson, considered a Knicks target, will now spend his days in Atlanta.
- Dirk Nowitzki re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks for a four-year deal worth $80 million.
- The Boston Celtics re-signed Paul Pierce to a four-year deal worth $61 million.

Knicks and Amare Stoudemire moving closer to deal

ESPN is reporting that the New York Knicks are close to signing a big star.

No, it's not him.

The Knicks and Amare Stoudemire, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, are moving closer to agreeing to a deal. The Knicks have reportedly offered Stoudemire a five-year contract for $100 million. The two sides are moving closer to completing the deal, but Stoudemire, 27, can't sign until July 8th, and the Knicks want to meet him in person to further discuss the deal.

From ESPN:

"Stoudemire is scheduled to fly into New York on Saturday and is expected to sit down with Knicks brass on Monday. Earlier, Yahoo! Sports and the New York Daily News reported that Stoudemire and the Knicks had the "framework of the deal" in place. Stoudemire and his representatives broke off negotiations with the Suns on Friday.

"It wasn't the right deal," Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, told The Arizona Republic."

Stoudemire, who has been seeking a $100 million contract, received a five-year, $95 million contract from the Phoenix Suns, his old team. According to David Berri of Opposing Views, Amare is not worth $100 million due to the fact that, in his calculations, Amare is only worth 32.4 wins averaged over five years as he ages.

Now that Stoudemire has received a $100 million contract, it's very likely that negotiations will move quickly. The Knicks are hoping that signing Stoudemire will also help LeBron James consider New York. In what could go down as the best NBA free agent classes of all time, don't count the Knicks out on other stars. Expect a deal to be done quick, because it won't be long before Amare is in NYC.