So recently a report came out that Houston Rockets want to improve their roster.
Well, that’s not a surprise as their goal is to win the championship.
They would be willing to deal anyone including Chris Paul.
That’s not a surprise either, at least for me, since we know Paul’s injury history
and even a certain bad reputation when it comes to delivering in the biggest moments.
Obviously a lot of things would need to go right for the Rockets to trade Chris Paul.
In most cases the salaries would have to match, and it would be super hard to match that bloated
salary of Chris Paul, but just for a moment, let’s forget the salary cap and all the
rules that would need to be met for the trade to proceed.
Let’s just take a look at all the teams first and imagine that every team could have
a clear path to trade for Chris Paul.
Hey guys.
PRPLPRNCH here and I want to look at all the teams and figure out who would, should and
shouldn’t trade for Chris Paul and would it actually be worth it?
To better evaluate the teams who could use a Chris Paul at this stage of his career let’s
look at the player.
Chris Paul has been widely known as one of the best if not the best point guard of this
generation.
He’s a 9x All-Star, has led the league in assists multiple times and has been that perfect
point guard for a lot of years.
But he is 34 years old.
He carries some injury concerns and I know I said we’ll imagine that salary cap doesn’t
exist here, but in reality if the trade happens, his new team would have to absorb a huge 3
more years of his contract which in total will pay him around 125 million.
It’s also worth mentioning that he’s in his decline.
He’s just not the player he used to be anymore and that’s ok.
We all meet father time eventually.
Let’s go through all the teams!
Let’s start with the Western Conference.
Golden State Warriors obviously don’t need a point guard as they have a better point
guard in Steph Curry.
Denver Nuggets also have a young good point guard in Jamal Murray.
Portland has Damian Lilard.
Oklahoma City has Westbrook, and even though OKC might benefit from Paul’s better decision
making, Russell is a better player at this point of their respective careers and considering
the loyalty he showed to stay in OKC I don’t think he gets moved anytime soon.
San Antonio Spurs.
I don’t see them making such a trade.
They have young point guards on the roster and San Antonio is just not that team that
makes those big trades often, especially for older players.
Clippers have a point guard and even if they didn’t I just don’t see that marriage
again.
Paul didn’t leave the Clippers on good terms you know.
Sacramento Kings should stick with De’ Aaron Fox because he’s very good and he’s much
younger and will be improving even more.
Los Angeles Lakers shouldn’t trade for Chris Paul as well.
I know this was probably the first place everyone thought Chris Paul would like to go if he
was traded, and I’m not disputing that.
To play with his good friend Lebron, back in LA.
Very exciting.
But they have Lonzo Ball to whom I think they’re gonna hold.
He’s a very talented player.
Sure, he’s had his own injury struggles and you might argue he isn’t progressing
at the rate he should, but Chris Paul is no diamond either anymore.
So whether they stay with Lonzo or sign Kyrie - Chris Paul will not be playing for the Lakers.
Timberwolves is an interesting option.
They have 1 more year of Jeff Teague at 19 million and Chris Paul would definitely be
an upgrade over him, but at what price?
I don’t see it happening also considering the fact that Paul would probably need to
go to a team that’s also contending for a championship and that ain’t Minnesota.
Memphis Grizzlies are looking to retool right now and have their own big money invested
in their Point Guard Mike Conley, who probably is a better player right now.
Why would they trade a cheaper, younger and better player for a more expensive, a tad
older and a tad worser player?
Doesn’t make sense to me.
New Orleans maybe could’ve traded for him, but Dell Demps is no longer there and David
Griffin knows what he is doing.
They do have a necessity at point guard, but while they wait out on Anthony Davis situation
and budding draft of Zion Williamson, I don’t think they need a big contract on the books.
That leaves the two worst teams of the Western Conference - the Dallas Mavericks and the
Phoenix Suns and the fifth best team Utah Jazz as the only three who realistically would
like an upgrade at the point guard spot.
With Jazz, they are a playoff team right now and they would need a better point guard.
Ricky Rubio can pass but he can’t shoot so Paul would be a noticeable upgrade, but
would that make them a championship contender?
Probably not.
Dallas Mavericks traded for Porzingis, they have Luka Doncic and some good pieces around,
but trading for Paul would mean win now, and are they ready to win now, I don’t know.
It would make them better.
It would make them a playoff team for sure, but Mark Cuban is a smart man so I don’t
think he does that.
And Phoenix.
They have been waiting for a competent point guard for so long.
Devin Booker is really good and Deandre Ayton could be that Anchor in the middle, but what
does getting Paul really improves for them.
Pretty much nothing, and if it gives nothing why should they even bother.
So, just quickly running through the Western Conference I’ve come to a conclusion that
3 teams would really like an upgrade at the point guard spot, but even for them this trade
wouldn’t make sense.
Sad, but true.
Let’s move on to the East.
Who at least theoretically would want Chris Paul?
Bucks signed Eric Bledsoe to an extension just 3 months ago so that’s not happening
and they’re already right there knocking on the door to the NBA Finals.
Toronto has Kyle Lowry who also has a big contract and has had problems delivering in
the playoffs, but I don’t see Toronto making such a trade since they’re right now up
in the finals 1-0 against Golden State and Lowry has been doing his thing.
Philadelphia has Ben Simmons.
Yes, the dude needs to learn how to shoot, and if he doesn’t next year maybe they do
have to look for an upgrade at the position, but not now and not in the person of Chris
Paul.
Indiana Pacers just don’t have that culture of big trades and I don’t think Paul takes
them anywhere further than they are.
Getting a point guard upgrade would be nice, but Let’s see what they can do with Oladipo
back in squad first.
Brooklyn Nets.
Hmm.
Would be an interesting option as they do need a point guard.
D Angelo Russell’s contract has ended, but I think first, they’ll try to sign Kyrie
which is what everyone has been talking about.
If Kyrie doesn’t sign, they’ll probably try to resign D’Angelo,
and even if they can’t, I just can’t see them trading for Paul.
They have that first-hand bad experience of what happens when you trade for superstars
past their prime.
Detroit Pistons have Reggie Jackson for 1 more year.
Not the best point guard, but their problems or missing pieces include a lot more than
just a point guard so getting Chris Paul won’t solve anything and that’s why they won’t
do it.
As for Miami Heat - they have Goran Dragic who has a player option which he will probably
exercise.
If he didn’t they would be looking for a point guard, but Justise Winslow has played
some, albeit not great either.
Most importantly, the Arrison family and Pat Riley wouldn’t make a deal for an aging
player that doesn’t take them anywhere.
Washington Wizards have their own problems with John Wall who has an enormous contract
and while they probably won’t win with him, he is younger and better than CP3.
Plus, I think they should go in rebuild mode if they could somehow trade those contracts.
Adding a big salary player isn’t an option right now.
Atlanta Hawks already have their point guard of the future in Trae Young and actually they
have some more good young players.
They should just stick with losing some more and developing their players.
Chicago Bulls as far as I know would like to get Lonzo Ball and all in all I think they
want to get just young players and build for the future playoff runs.
Cleveland just last year drafted a point guard in Collin Sexton and are kinda in a don’t
win now mode, so they are out of the mix
New York Knicks do need a point guard.
The Frank Ntilikina experiment just isn’t working out.
But they have set their sights higher on signing Kyrie and KD during free agency so I think
getting Chris Paul is out of the question.
I mean, it is James Dolan so you never know, but no, that just isn’t happening.
Which leaves us with 3 teams again.
3 teams who could possibly need a player of CP3’s caliber.
Boston, Orlando and Charlotte.
Boston is interesting.
Kyrie is probably leaving, so is Terry Rozier, although the decision of the latter depends
on the former.
But if they both leave that would leave Boston without a point - guard.
They were in win now mode this year, but without Kyrie and if they don’t land Anthony Davis
getting Chris Paul really doesn’t give them anything.
Which is what I think will happen.
But look out for Boston, they might just do the move to keep them competitive and who
knows maybe even do something bigger.
I wouldn’t do the move, but Danny Ainge might do it and who am I to argue with Danny
Ainge.
Orlando definitely needs a point guard and they actually might be the most likely team
to try to trade for Chris Paul.
They have some pieces in place.
DJ Augustin should be a backup.
If they can sign a couple of good wing players and resign Vucevic a deal for CP3 to try to
win it now isn’t out of the question.
A bit unlikely, but not out of the question.
And the last but not least - the Charlotte Hornets.
Rumours have been swirling that Charlotte is one of the teams that might at least inquire
about getting Chris Paul.
They have a very good point guard in Kemba Walker but he’s a free agent.
I think they have thought about getting Chris Paul but just vaguely.
I think their first priority would be to resign Kemba Walker.
He’s their only real star they’ve had in decades.
He has a following in Charlotte and after making the All-NBA team he can get that Super
Max Contract offer which makes staying in Charlotte a juicy prospect.
If they don’t retain Kemba, they could get Chris Paul, but even with an All-Star point
guard they couldn’t even reach the playoffs.
A lot of players would need to change for them to form something even remote to a playoff
contender.
I don’t think that’s a deal worth looking at closely.
Just retain Kemba and give him some help.
So, going through both conferences I actually don’t see a team which would 100% need a
CP3 at this stage of his career.
Majority of the teams already have better or younger and cheaper options, and some teams
just aren’t there market-wise or timeline-wise.
That’s sad because Chris Paul really was a great point guard, but as sad as it sounds,
the market for him right now is almost non-existent.
Age, injuries and throw in that big contract of his and any trade for him might get that
GM fired soon.
Just the sad truth.
Thanks for watching guys.
Hope you enjoyed the video.
What is CP3’s worth in your opinion.
Will he get traded and who should trade for him?
Leave a comment below and let’s discuss it.
Maybe combining all of our great minds we can come up with something.
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Thank you very much!
This was PRPLPRNCH and I’m out!