It didn't take long for the Chris Paul rumor mill to begin to churn.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks will have competition in the quest to land Paul in a trade. According to the report, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge covets the Hornets All-Star point guard.
When Paul was asked about the trade rumors, he replied, "My heart is in New Orleans."
But he knows - and the Hornets know - that sometime before the trade deadline arrives, the bewitching hour will come. And Chris Paul will be dealt.
Big men like Pau Gasol (left) tend to get in the way of little generals like Chris Paul (right) in the NBA post-season.
What should Hornets coach Monty Williams and general manager Dell Demps be looking for in a trade package?
For the right deal, Oklahoma City may part with point guard Russell Westbrook. Of course, if Boston is truly interested in Chris Paul, they are certainly ready to move their well-regarded point guard, Rajon Rondo.
What the Hornets should be looking for is a chance to acquire a talented big man. Brook Lopez of the Nets is an outstanding young post player. But New Jersey is supposedly willing to part with him and two first round draft picks to acquire Dwight Howard.
Howard is not only the game's best center but would give the Nets a huge boost. The franchise is moving to a new state-of-the-art arena in Brooklyn next season.
Another possibility is Lakers center Andrew Bynum. An improving talent at just age 24, Bynum has had a series of knee issues that raise red flags. But when healthy, he is a major force in the paint.
Here's the thing. As much as basketball has turned into an up-and-down game where point guards run the show while spot-up shooters knock down threes, the NBA playoffs will always be about the big man.
Magic Johnson won five titles with the Lakers. But he won them all with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Spurs get their just due for being one of the model franchises in professional sports. But all four of their championships were won with Tim Duncan.
With Shaquille O'Neal out of the picture, Kobe was ready to get out of L.A. before the Lakers landed Pau Gasol.
Paul Pierce was living in relative NBA obscurity in Boston (if there is such a thing) until the Celtics traded with Minnesota for Kevin Garnett.
Last season in the Finals, former Hornets pivot Tyson Chandler was a huge factor against Miami. In 37 minutes a game, he shot 59 percent and averaged almost 10 points and 9 rebounds.
The first argument you hear against the importance of the big man is that Michael Jordan won six titles in Chicago without a very good post player. But His Airness is the exception, not the rule.
So, if the Hornets want to start their rebuilding job correctly, they will look for the quickest path to a talented big man in return for a very talented little man.
If Chris Paul lands with the Knicks, New York will surely win its first playoff game in 10 years. Knicks fans will pack Madison Square Garden. Paul will feed Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire for an array of dazzling dunks.
But how much closer would Chris Paul be to an NBA crown? Not nearly as close as the city of New York might think.
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