NBA AM: Hornets Ready to Deal Chris Paul

The New Orleans Hornets are ready to trade Chris Paul. After weeks of speculation and rumors, the Hornets began actively shopping Paul on Tuesday and made it clear that they intend to move the star point guard “as soon as possible,” preferably before their season opener on December 26.

Hornets’ general manager Dell Demps offered Paul a contract extension on Monday, but the 26-year-old refused to sign it. Now, Demps feels he has no choice but to trade his franchise player.

Nearly every team in the league has called and expressed interest in Paul, but sources say that the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors have made the best offers. They’re considered the early frontrunners, with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers also in the mix.

Whether or not Paul would sign an extension with the Clippers or Warriors remains to be seen, but both teams feel confident that they could convince him to stay after acquiring him. This is the same approach that the New Jersey Nets took with Deron Williams prior to last year’s trade deadline.

The Warriors are offering Stephen Curry, Ekpe Udoh and Klay Thompson, according to one league source. Golden State is also trying to sign Tyson Chandler, who is one of Paul’s best friends in the league.

The Clippers won’t trade Blake Griffin or Eric Gordon, but have made everyone else on their roster available. They desperately want Paul and believe he’s the perfect player to put alongside Griffin.

Paul would still love to join the New York Knicks, but that possibility seems less and less likely as more teams willing to take the rental route step forward. New Orleans is looking for young talent and New York doesn’t have the trade chips to compete with the offers from Los Angeles or Golden State.

On Tuesday, Paul told several people close to him that he expects to be traded sooner rather than later. If the Hornets find the right deal, he could be moved as early as Friday.

Lakers Contact Magic, Hornets: The Los Angeles Lakers contacted the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday, according to multiple sources. The Lakers’ dream scenario would be to land both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, and they’ve made their interest known in recent days.

The talks were brief and no proposals were made. However, the Lakers will continue to explore their options and remain involved in the superstar sweepstakes.

Los Angeles knows that acquiring both superstars is unlikely, but they figure it’s worth a shot. Trading for one or the other – Howard or Paul – using some combination of Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom is much more realistic. The Lakers are closely monitoring both situations.

Howard and Paul would each be willing to sign a contract extension with the Lakers, according to sources. If other teams like the Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors refuse to make a deal without an extension, the Lakers could become the frontrunner to acquire one of the stars.

Free Agency News and Notes: With free agency just two days away, here are the latest news and notes from around the league.

• Jamal Crawford has a long list of teams hoping to sign him, but his preference would be a sign-and-trade to the Chicago Bulls, according to sources close to the situation. The Bulls have been in contact with Crawford’s camp in recent days and will try to acquire him by offering the Atlanta Hawks a package that includes Ronnie Brewer and one unnamed player. If Chicago can’t land Crawford, the veteran will likely sign with the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets or Minnesota Timberwolves.

• The New Jersey Nets and Golden State Warriors are currently the frontrunners to sign Tyson Chandler, according to two league sources. Chandler loves the idea of playing with Deron Williams in New Jersey and feels the organization is heading in the right direction. On the other hand, Chandler’s decision to meet with the Warriors surprised rival executives. That is, until the team was linked to Chris Paul. Chandler may have to decide between Paul and Williams, which is a great problem to have.

• Unrestricted free agent Darington Hobson has been working out at the Milwaukee Bucks’ facility in recent days as he weighs his training camp options. The Bucks selected Hobson with the 37^th overall pick in last year’s draft, but waived him due to a hip injury. Now, Hobson is healthy and the Bucks still like him so don’t be surprised if he ends up on their training camp roster.

• Undrafted free agent Xavier Silas will attend training camp with the Philadelphia 76ers. After a successful stint in France, he’ll begin working out at the 76ers’ facility today. “I grew up watching the Sixers. I grew up watching Philly fans. I’m beyond honored to be a part of such a culture,” Silas told HOOPSWORLD. Silas was one of the leading scorers in the country last year with Northern Illinois, and he displayed his hard work and excellent attitude throughout the draft process. He has a legitimate shot at making Philadelphia’s roster because he’s the quintessential team player.

Chelsea, Marseille and Zenit in last 16

Chelsea FC, Olympique de Marseille and FC Zenit St Petersburg all got the results they needed to move through to the round of 16 at the expense of Valencia CF, Olympiacos FC and FC Porto

Chelsea FC, Olympique de Marseille and FC Zenit St Petersburg held their nerve to move into the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on the final night of games in Groups E to H.

In Group E, Chelsea knew they needed to beat Valencia CF to make sure of progress past the group stage for the ninth year running. Within 22 minutes they were 2-0 up with Didier Drogba scoring the first and making the second for Ramires, In the second half Drogba sealed a 3-0 victory and that was enough for Chelsea to finish top as eliminated KRC Genk drew 1-1 against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who already were through but have fallen to second. Valencia CF, like all the third-placed teams, transfer to the UEFA Europa League round of 32.

For most the night Olympiacos looked set to come second in Group F as two first-half goals set them on the way to a 3-1 home victory against section winners Arsenal FC. The only way Olympiacos could have missed out was if Marseille beat Borussia Dortmund – at at one stage the French visitors were two down but they pulled one back in first-half added time then in the last five minutes scored twice for a 3-2 success to deny Olympiacos.

The other place up for grabs was in Group G and Zenit St Petersburg held on for a 0-0 draw at FC Porto to finish a point ahead of their hosts. Although APOEL, already qualified, lost 2-0 at home to eliminated FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the first Cypriot side ever to get through the group stage still do so in first place on head-to-head above Zenit, both a point clear of Porto.

FC Barcelona and AC Milan were certain to advance from Group H before kick-off. Group winners Barcelona overcame FC BATE Borisov 4-0 and Milan were pegged back for a 2-2 draw at FC Viktoria Plzeň, who have the consolation of a UEFA Europa League berth.

The remaining four spots in the 16 December draw will bedecided on Wednesday. FC Bayern München, FC Internazionale Milano, Real Madrid CF – all assured of seeding as group winners – and SL Benfica are already through going into those matches.

Drogba guides Chelsea past Valencia into last 16

Chelsea FC 3-0 Valencia CF

Chelsea FC eased their way into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds with a comfortable defeat of Valencia CF which also ensured them top spot in Group E.

It was not the tense occasion perhaps envisaged by the London side's supporters, with Didier Drogba's third-minute goal settling any early nerves. Valencia then dominated possession but could not force a breakthrough and hestitant defending enabled Ramires to add a second midway through the first half, Drogba making it three in the 76th minute. With hopes high of qualifying before kick-off, the Spanish side now head for the UEFA Europa League with the loss confirming them in third.

An early goal was just the start Chelsea were after, yet they could not have dared dream it would materialise so soon. Daniel Sturridge created the opportunity with a flighted ball to the far post which Juan Mata gathered before setting up Drogba. The striker worked the ball on to his left foot and while it was not his sweetest connection and goalkeeper Diego Alves put a glove on it, it still squeezed inside the far post.

It was evidence that Valencia's best form of defence was to attack. Within two minutes Jordi Alba fastened on to an incisive pass from Tino Costa and Chelsea were relieved to see his shot hit the outside of the post. A long-range David Albelda effort had Petr Čech at full stretch as the visitors kept the pressure on.

However their task got even harder in the 22nd minute. Drogba's strength in making ground over the halfway line was impressive but when he played the ball forward for Ramires it looked a race that Víctor Ruiz would win quite comfortably. However the defender hesitated and that was all the invitation Ramires needed to slide the ball beyond Alves.

Valencia will have been heartened by how much possession they enjoyed during the first half; discouraged by the paucity of the chances they had manufactured. The pattern continued after the interval, although Sofiane Feghouli did twice find himself in positions to score.

The first time he blazed over, the second drew a fine save from Čech as the 21-year-old midfielder got power behind a left-footed drive. However, the contest was as good as finished 14 minutes from time when Mata fed Drogba who scored with the outside of his right boot as Chelsea celebrated coming top of their group for the fifth time in six seasons.

Manchester United could turn to Danny Welbeck to solve their injury problems in attack as they tackle Basel on Wednesday needing a draw to reach the Champions League last 16.

United lost Javier Hernandez to an ankle injury at the weekend and with Dimitar Berbatov ruled out with his own ankle problem, Welbeck is likely to start despite only just returning from a muscle strain sustained on England duty on November 12.

"We think with Hernandez that it's torn ankle ligaments unfortunately," said United coach Sir Alex Ferguson after Saturday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

"That will keep him out for a month. We're having a torrid time with injuries at the moment.

"But Danny Welbeck came back at Villa, got some time on the pitch, and he gives us an option for Wednesday. He's not had a lot of football recently so it's something I'll have to consider.

"But I thought Nani did all right down the middle and Antonio Valencia also did very well when he came on so we've got some options up front."

Victory at Villa Park represented United's fourth 1-0 win in five league games since their 6-1 humiliation at home to Manchester City, but they continue to stutter in cup competitions.

Ferguson's side were knocked out of the League Cup by second-tier Crystal Palace last week and last season's beaten finalists have picked up only two wins from their five Champions League group games to date.

The 2-2 draw at home to Benfica in their last game gifted the Portuguese giants a place in the knockout phase and means United must not lose at Basel to avoid what would be only the third group-stage exit in their history.

United last went out at this stage in 2005-06 and Wednesday's game will take place exactly five years to the day since the 2-1 loss at Benfica that abruptly curtailed their involvement in that season's tournament.

Back then, United needed a win to go through, but at Basel's St Jakob-Park stadium, a draw will suffice.

The hosts, though, will be gunning for a famous upset and, despite having only once reached the knockout rounds before, they will be buoyed by the 3-3 draw they took from Old Trafford in the reverse fixture on September 17.

A quick-fire Welbeck brace put United 2-0 up inside 17 minutes but Basel hit back through Fabian Frei before an Alexander Frei double took them to the verge of a shock result, only for Ashley Young to head home a last-minute equaliser.

Alexander Frei -- no relation to his younger team-mate -- believes Basel's performance in Manchester gave Heiko Vogel's side belief that they could compete with Europe's elite.

"The guys are really proud we got a 3-3 draw and it is something that will stay with them for the rest of their careers," the Swiss international striker told the UEFA website.

"But the way I see it, it was more important for the future in general -- when it happens, it's absolutely amazing and something we may never experience again at Basel, but it shows that we have a future in UEFA competition."

Young's late goal preserved an unbeaten home record in European competition stretching back to 2005, and United are equally formidable on the road, having avoided defeat in their last eight away fixtures.

In the absence of the suspended Michael Carrick, Ferguson could ask Phil Jones to continue in the central midfield role he occupied against Villa.

"Jones is a natural centre-back but he's so versatile he can play in midfield," said Ferguson.

"We played him there because we don't have Michael Carrick for Wednesday because he's suspended and we have to look at options.

"We've also got Darren Fletcher available and we didn't want to use Ryan Giggs against Villa because of the importance of Wednesday."

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said it is 'important' to sell Carlos Tevez and would be happy to see him move to Italy.

The striker does not appear to have a future at City and has been absent from the club for the past month. AC Milan revealed they had been given permission by City to speak to representatives of the player on Monday.

Mancini, speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash against Bayern Munich, said: "I don't know what the situation with Carlos is in this moment. I think for us it is important to sell him. We can do this, to sell Carlos, for him and the club. If he has a chance to go to Italy I am happy for him."

Tevez's advisor, Kia Joorabchian, has stated that his client's priority is to secure a move to another European club.

The 27-year-old has again been linked with his former club in Brazil, Corinthians, but after a move there collapsed in the summer, he is concentrating elsewhere.

"A return to Brazil? It's a possibility, but for the time being he wants to play in Europe," Joorabchian told www.milannews.it.

Tevez returned to Argentina without City's permission after deciding not to appeal against a club fine for five breaches of contract relating to his conduct on the bench against Bayern Munich on September 27. Joorabchian says Tevez is now working hard away from the club ahead of a possible move.

He said: "He is training intensely. In January he wants to return to have a starring role and play in a great club."

Joorabchian also confirmed other clubs aside from Milan are interested in Tevez. Inter Milan and Juventus have also featured in reports.

Joorabchian said: "Milan is a great club but there are other Italian clubs that have also requested information."

FA looking at Suarez 'gesture'

The Football Association are looking at allegations Liverpool striker Luis Suarez made an offensive gesture after Monday night's 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

Photographs published on Wednesday appear to show the Uruguay international making a gesture in the direction of the crowd as he left the pitch at Craven Cottage.

The FA are aware of the alleged incident and Press Association Sport understands they are now looking at the matter.