The Rockets, Celtics and Mavericks have told the Hornets that they are prepared to trade for Chris Paul without an assurance that he would sign a long-term deal.

Boston is believed to have the best potential offer out of those three teams since they would include Rajon Rondo.

Those so-called gambling teams would almost certainly beat any deal that the Knicks could offer, even though they are widely presumed to be Paul's preferred destination.