Sources: Hornets appear resigned to trading Paul; N.Y. not confident

With Chris Paul's agent reportedly having requested a trade of the All-Star point guard to New York, sources told SI.com that the Hornets appear to be resigned to the reality that they will have to trade the potential 2012 free agent, and that the Knicks have very little confidence that they will get him.

Neither revelation will come as a surprise to anyone who has tracked Paul's situation. His desire to join Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony with the Knicks was shared at Anthony's wedding in July 2010 and became common knowledge soon thereafter. The Hornets, however, have been attempting to convince Paul that there remains a long-term future for him in New Orleans. And two sources close to the situation said Paul has not requested a trade to New York or declined an extension.

New Orleans general manager Dell Demps, who is clearly determined not to lose the franchise cornerstone for nothing in return next summer, has been fielding trade calls for Paul and is looking for the kind of high-level, young assets that the Knicks simply don't have.

Meanwhile, general managers like Boston's Danny Ainge will continue pursuing Paul and hoping he changes his view on his future. Ainge has been pushing hard for Paul recently and is willing to trade point guard Rajon Rondo in any such deal, but he needs a third team to make it work. ESPN.com reported that Paul would not sign an extension with the Celtics, which is expected to be a prerequisite for almost any, if not every, team that attempts to land him.