The New Orleans Hornets have made it clear that their star guard is not available for trade.
View full sizeThe Cavaliers were one of several teams that reportedly inquired about trading for guard Chris Paul, but the Hornets made it clear they have no interest in a deal.Q: Hey, Brian: I saw rumors a week ago that the Cavs attempted to trade with New Orleans for Chris Paul. Do you know the offer details? Was New Orleans simply not giving him up for anything the Cavs could throw at them? --Kyle, Columbus
A: Hey, Kyle: Paul is not available and the Hornets have said it over and over. Teams, including the Cavs, called to see and the answer was no. Last week the Hornets fired their general manager in part, some believe, because he was just kicking the tires on Paul's value. As it stands now, the only way Paul is getting out of there is by demanding a trade.
Q: Hey, Brian: What was Miami's motivation for requesting sign- and-trades with both Toronto and Cleveland? It seems like they are giving up assets, future cap flexibility and increasing payroll to avoid pay inequity between the star players. -- Steve Cornelius, Avon Lake
A: Hey, Steve: You've got it. Considering the three stars were willing to take less than the max to enable the Heat to sign other free agents, it was a way to get them some of the money back.
Q: Hey, Brian: How sheltered is LeBron James to the massive multi-city fall out? While Dan Gilbert's comments could not be hidden, how ignorant is LeBron to the rest of the world? Does his team hide the headlines from Chicago, New York and Cleveland from him? Has he ever legitimately been criticized in his life like this? I wonder how he will react during his trips to Chicago, New York and ultimately Cleveland. Will he be shocked? -- Clay Pollman, Cape Coral, Fla.
A: Hey, Clay: James knows and obviously doesn't seem to care. At least, right now.
Q: Hey, Brian: LeBron James said he wanted to do what was best for his family. How is taking less money and making his whole family move away from their home doing what is "best" for them? -- Franklin Thompson, Akron
A: Hey, Franklin: Everyone has their own definition of that, I suppose. I do know that after he had his girlfriend, mother and children at the MVP ceremony in Akron in May, none were seen at "The Decision" show or his arrival in Miami.
Q: Hey, Brian: Why has nobody in the media asked LeBron James why he did not let Dan Gilbert know his intentions personally before he went on national TV with "The Decision?" -- Chris Mansuy, Orlando, Fla.
View full sizeCavaliers owner Dan Gilbert shouldn't have trouble signing free agents despite his tirade against LeBron James because, ultimately, it's money that gets the final word.A: Hey, Chris: James has not permitted the national media or the media that covered him in Cleveland to ask him any questions yet. Jim Gray might have asked but he had to get the question about James' nail-biting habits in. Though on the exclusive interview on James' website we did learn what his favorite cupcake is when Gray asked.
Q: Hey, Brian: Are the two first-round picks that were picked up from the Miami Heat beginning no earlier than 2013 and continuing through 2017 lottery protected? -- Mike Francischiello, Willoughby
A: Hey, Mike: Excellent question. The 2013 and '15 picks are protected from being traded to the Cavs if they are in the top 10. That protection lasts for two years on each pick and then the picks are unprotected.
Q: Hey, Brian: Would the Cavs have any interest in Richard Jefferson for the upcoming season or two? --Mike Delaney, Mansfield
A: Hey, Mike: Jefferson certainly has interest in the Cavs, who have contacted him. However, after leaving $15 million on the table to get away from the Spurs for no good reason, he's looking for a long-term contact that the Cavs aren't interested in at the moment.
Q: Hey, Brian: Do you think Dan Gilbert hurt the Cavs' chances to sign a free agent with his tirade? Should he apologize? -- Cody, Erie, Pa.
A: Hey, Cody: It took many players aback but in free agency money usually talks. Example? Last week Kyle Lowry wrote on his Twitter page that he was shocked at Gilbert's letter. Then four days later he signed an offer sheet with the Cavs.
Q: Hey, Brian: What are the odds the Cavs would go high risk/ reward and make a trade for Gilbert Arenas? -- Christopher Sandman, Cleveland
A: Hey, Christopher: The Cavs discussed it to a certain degree before James left. Now, however, tying up the salary cap for the next four years with that contract, considering Arenas' injury history, would seem a major risk they're not likely to take.
Q: Hey, Brian: Can you explain how after the Heat signed the top three players to near max contracts, they are now signing players like Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller? -- Fred Fields, Euclid
A: Hey, Fred: First, Pat Riley had a long-term plan, is very smart and cleared the most cap space in NBA history. Second, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are basically paying Miller and Haslem by accepting less than market-value max. It was like intrateam revenue sharing, saving the owner money and costing the players, which did not make the union happy. As for Ilgauskas, he signed a minimum contract for $1.4 million. Teams over the salary cap have the option of signing as many minimum players as they want. Not only that, the league pays a portion of those minimum contracts.
-- Brian
Got a Cavaliers question? Send it in. Submit your question at cleveland.com/heybrian, and Plain Dealer Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the Sports section. All of Brian's answers are archived online.