News reports of rumors are circulating more than the U.S. World Cup team has goals disallowed, and usually where there's smoke there's fire. The reports are suggesting that the Chouest group cannot purchase the Hornets because of the group's ties with the oilfield. Meanwhile other owners around the NBA feel they could do George Shinn 'a favor' by unloading Chris Paul's contract.

What those other owners could secure is the team's exit from New Orleans with such a disasterly trade if there is not very legitimate value in return for letting go of the face of your franchise. This is completely different from the trade of Baron Davis, who did not want to play in New Orleans any longer. Paul is a player that his teammates and the community love, and fans could take such a deal as a sign the team not caring about them.

To me, even trading Darren Collison would be a mistake, because of the valuable minutes he gave to the Hornets in Chris Paul's absence, and you never can have enough good point guards in this league. This was a problem with the Hornets in the past because you could not take out Paul and give him a breather until the drafting of Collison last season.

But, if I had to pick one to trade, along with unloading a bad contract or two would be Collison, but a talented back up point guard would have to come in return.

We will see what happens on this pre-draft day, and tomorrow being draft day, to see what transpires in all of this drama.