Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics Emerging As Potential Leader In Sweepstakes, According To Report

Read More: Rajon Rondo (G - BOS), Chris Paul (G - LAC), Jeff Green (F - BOS), Eric Gordon (G - NOH), Stephen Curry (G - GSW), New Orleans Hornets, Boston Celtics

With the reluctance of the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors to include their prized young talent in a deal for Chris Paul, the Boston Celtics may be back in the lead for Paul's services, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The Celtics' offer is centered around point guard Rajon Rondo, and that offer is becoming more enticing since the Clippers and Warriors seem reluctant to deal Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry, respectively.

The Celtics' offer currently centers around Rondo, but includes other parts, Wojnarowski reports.

The Celtics have relentlessly pursued Paul and have presented the Hornets with as many as eight different scenarios that would bring them some combination of Rondo, Jeff Green, two future No. 1 picks and additional talent from third teams, sources said.

The Celtics have also tried to recruit a third team, with the Indiana Pacers being the one most recently discussed. As Ken Berger of CBS Sports notes, the presence of Green may be problematic, since he can veto a trade if he accepts the Celtics' qualifying offer instead of negotiating a new contract.

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