According to Ken Berger of CBS, Chris Paul has put into motion an aggressive exit strategy that will accelerate in the coming weeks, and his clear intention is to be traded before the start of the 2010-11 season, a person with direct knowledge of his plans told CBSSports.com Wednesday.

“He wants out,” said the person, who has been briefed on Paul’s strategy but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly. “He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron’s model of teaming up with other great players.”

Paul’s list of preferred destinations consists of the Knicks, Magic and Lakers, and members of his inner circle already have sent word to the Hornets of his desire to be traded to one of those teams, sources say. If Paul has his way, he’s played his last game in a Hornets jersey.

Wow. With all the rumors surrounding CP3, Melo, contract extensions, and a potential “big 3″ in New York, things certainly just got very interesting.

Via The Palm Beach Post:

The New York Knicks’ No. 1 fan compares LeBron James’ exit from Cleveland to Pat Riley’s infamous sayonara to Madison Square Garden. Filmmaker Spike Lee said he doesn’t blame James for joining the Miami Heat, but said The King could have been more gracious toward Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who said he learned of the move via a last-minute phone call from Rich Paul, one of James’ associates.

“LeBron should have called instead of having Rich Paul call him,” Lee said on ESPN. “For me, that’s the same thing as Pat Riley faxing the Knicks, ‘I’m outta here. I don’t know how he’s going to live in Akron or Cleveland anymore, they’re going to make his life miserable. … Why live someplace where you’re going to be hated? And the first time the Heat go to (Cleveland), they’re going to need the National Guard.”

Outside of playing the Cavs, Lee doesn’t recommend James even visit his former home. Lee said James, who turned down Knicks overtures, should not expect any warmer welcome in Madison Square Garden, either.

“He’s going to get it worse than Reggie Miller,” Lee said.

And while many figure the Heat to be a favorite for the NBA title, Lee’s not.

“I’m not giving ‘em zero (titles) until I see who else they have,” Lee said. ”They’ve got three guys now. They’re not better than Chicago. I don’t think they’re better than Boston, either. ”

As for The Decision, Lee says “I cannot blame LeBron for doing what makes him happy. He left a lot of money on the table, but this thing was rigged from way back. Everybody, they’re lying out the side of their neck. I know they can’t say it because they don’t want David Stern in their butt about collusion, but this thing was rigged. It was a done deal.”

We can’t wait for the Heat to step into the Garden. It’s going to absolutely erupt. While signing LeBron James surely would have revitalized the New York Knickerbockers, the LeBromination that was “The Decision” has put a fire in their belly, refueled the Miami rivalry and given just about every team in the NBA a new mission: Beat the Heat.

Via Dime Mag:

The rumors have been flying for months.Will he stay, will he go, nobody really knew. Now we know something for sure. A few minutes ago, I got off the phone with a source that has intricate knowledge ofLeBron James‘ business ventures who has told us that while LeBron’s mind is not made up as to where he is going, there is one city where he knows he is not playing next season. As stated over the phone: “LeBron James is 100 percent not staying in Cleveland.”

While the phone call was brief, the source said that there was no indication from LeBron or his camp as to what cities are left in the mix, but you have to assume it’s down to New York, Miami and Chicago.

Believe it or not…this will all be over soon.

Why the Knicks turned to Isaiah to recruit LeBron. Via The Knicks Fix:

When you’re desperate, you try anything. So when the Knicks were getting frustrated with the lack of feedback from LeBron James and his people about his decision — Basically: are ya comin or not? — Isiah Thomas offered to help.

The former Knicks president and coach has a connection with some of LeBron’s inner-circle and made an attempt to reach out to see what information he could…

As with most of Zeke’s endeavors, guess is didn’t work out too well.

Stephen A. Smith chatted with Mike Francesa on WFAN. Smith, as he reported earlier this week, still believes Miami is a lock. Here are few notes from the conversation:

FRANCESA: Could anything happen between now and 9pm to sway LeBron’s decision?

SMITH: There are two scenarios worth considering. 1. The guilt trip. It’s like a morgue in Cleveland right now. 2. The potential to make $2 billion in NY. If thats a plausible thing to consider, he could change his mind.

Via Tim Reynolds (AP):

The mere hint of LeBron James coming to Miami has already made the Heat winners — at the box office.

Season-ticket sales for the coming Heat season were suspended Thursday afternoon after the entire supply of available seats sold out.

That doesn’t mean all 19,600 seats are gone for the 41 home games. Not every seat has been released for sale and some will be held back for single-game purchases.

By mid-afternoon, a message was posted on the Heat website inviting fans to call the team ticket office directly for purchase-related questions. Earlier Thursday, season packages were available starting at $4,300, and the auction sites like eBay had some packages offered for as much as $18,500.

[Even the Florida Panthers got in on the action, offering] James a nod with a “Seats Fit For A King” promotion. Through Monday, the Panthers were selling season tickets with a per-game price of $23 — King James’ former jersey number — in their lower bowl, and for $6 — his new jersey number — in the upper bowl.

I feel nauseous.

Via NBC Sports:

The Bath Township Police Department has extra squad cars ready to patrol in the neighborhood of LeBron James on Thursday night.

“Whether we get loads of happy fans or unhappy fans showing up outside his home, we will be prepared to keep the traffic moving,” chief Michael McNeeley said. It’s looking more and more like LeBron is off to Miami, meaning those police officers may have some real work on their hands tonight.

Via Daily News:

Knicks officials conceded Thursday that they are likely out of the James sweepstakes with Mike D’Antoni going as far as to say he is “stunned” by James’ apparent decision to leave Cleveland and join the Miami Heat along with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and of course Riley, the former Knicks coach who led the Lakers and Heat to titles.

One team official is disappointed that James didn’t take on the challenge of winning in New York and instead settled on joining forces with Wade, who has already won a title with Miami.

“By going to Miami there is less pressure on him,” the official said. “If the Heat lose, it’s because of Wade, Riley and LeBron. Maybe he just didn’t want the pressure of playing in New York.”

It’s a bitter lose for the Knicks, a franchise that has suffered through nine straight losing seasons. The team was convinced that if James decided to leave he would come to the NBA‘s biggest market.

“I’ve lived here two years and I know this is the best place to be,” D’Antoni said. “It’s exciting. The resources are here and we’re ready to roll. Obviously, I’m a little stunned.”

I think we all are.

Via the New York Post:

While the Knicks are still clinging to a sliver of hope, they have heard through back channels that James is not likely headed to the Big Apple.

A source connected to James said, “ You should be writing about the Heat,’’ and there are multiple reports saying James is likely to join Pat Riley’s Miami club. The Knicks also believe Cleveland is still in the running and ahead of them in the chase for James.

That speculation will only be fueled by the Us Magazine report that James “has rented six cabanas at the W Hotel South Beach this weekend to celebrate his team decision.” See our previous post.