Byron Scott Laughs at Chris Paul Rumors

On Friday morning, Tim MacMahon of the Dallas Mavericks Blog penned over 700 words explaining how the Mavericks might be able to trade for Chris Paul this summer:

Rumor has it the Mavs brass let the powers that be in the Big Easy know before the trade deadline that they'd take the Hornets' two worst contracts off their hands in a package with Paul.

[...] The Hornets are a prime example of a team that might have to make a desperate, cost-cutting deal due to the economy. They play in a small market still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and are in luxury-tax territory.

MacMahon suggested the Mavs would revive talks this summer, suggesting the Mavs would likely target Tyson Chandler in the same deal. Because, you know, trading a team's two most exciting players for a package of expiring contracts is sure to convince a fickle fan base to buy season tickets, right?

If you think this sounds like insanity, you're not alone. Later Friday evening, Byron Scott uttered nine words that shot MacMahon's theory to bits: "There's no scenario that's going to make that happen." In case that wasn't clear, he elaborated:

"I mean a small market and you are going to trade away your best commodity. No offense to (New Orleans) Mayor Ray Nagin, I think Chris could run for mayor and win in New Orleans - he's that popular.''

Regardless of the club's financial situation, I'm thinking Scott's take is closer to the truth. Besides, if the Hornets truly are so strapped as to put Paul on the block, they'd likely let the entire league know in order to get the best offer. Paul should be a top-five MVP candidate for the next decade -- there are only a handful of teams in the league that wouldn't trade their best player as well as a bevy of first-round picks for Paul in a heartbeat.

(via BallHype)