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Chris Paul: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Paul
Dec 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. New Orleans Pelicans

Maybe this veers closer to nostalgia than realism, but what can we say? Chris Paul returning to NOLA and forming a Big Three with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins would be a pretty great story.

The last time CP3 played in the Big Easy the team was called the Hornets, but the New Orleans Pelicans have more to offer their former All-Star point guard than familiar surroundings thanks to two of the game’s best big men, both of whom are under the age of 26.

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The Pellies have a dynamic duo who can spread the floor in the frontcourt; now they just need another star player to facilitate, defend the point guard position and lend a little veteran experience and guidance.

Jrue Holiday had a great season, but he’s an unrestricted free agent and he’s no Chris Paul. If there’s any indication CP3 is even considering a return to New Orleans, the Pelicans would be foolish to prioritize overpaying to keep Holiday over wooing Paul, even with Holiday being six years younger. The difference in facilitation, defense and even three-point shooting would be staggering.

However, as much as this may be a fan favorite destination, there’s been zero indication CP3 is even considering a New Orleans homecoming. His domineering leadership would most likely clash with Cousins’ prickly personality and at age 32, there’s no guarantee a player with such an extensive injury history would be able to finally get over the conference finals hump.

A CP3-AD-Boogie Big Three sounds tantalizing on paper, but would it really make the Pelicans a legitimate threat to the Warriors, Spurs or even the Rockets in the West?

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