NBA: 3 best Chris Paul trade destinations this offseason
By Dalton Sell
Chris Paul will be a highly-coveted target on the trade market this offseason, and three teams, in particular, should target the 10-time NBA All-Star.
After a rejuvenating year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it appears that Chris Paul could be on his way out the door this offseason through trade. OKC never genuinely seemed like the long-term option for the aging Paul, as he was merely an asset in the deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets during the NBA’s last offseason.
Paul proved that he was more than capable of still being one of the top point guards in the league this season, however. Earning All-Star honors for the first time since 2015-16, Paul averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, leading OKC into the NBA Playoffs with a 44-28 record. Following the team’s first-round defeat to those Houston Rockets, Paul gave a heartfelt message that seemed more like a goodbye than an “I will be back next season.”
"“To the team, to Sam Presti, Billy Donovan, the training staff, everybody man, and coming there obviously a lot of people tried to count us out, counted me out, and all I can say is, I’ll never forget it. Never forget it. … I don’t know what the future holds, but what I can say is that this team, I think I made some connections and bonds with these guys that’ll last a lifetime.”"
If the Thunder are going to shop Chris Paul this offseason, there will be no shortage of potential suitors trying to get their hands on the 35-year-old point guard. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Heavy.Com recently reported, “I’m hearing there are at least 6 teams with expected interest in CP3: Bucks, Knicks, Mavericks, Jazz, Suns, 76ers.”
Paul has two years remaining on his contract, where he will make $85.5 million if he elects to take his 2021-22 player option. That monstrous contract is no easy addition for any organization, especially for an aging point guard. Still, for teams that are in a potential do-or-die state, they might look to take on the guard’s contract to initiate a revamping.
A Chris Paul trade could legitimately shake up the NBA landscape for any team, but three organizations specifically should go after the 10-time All-Star this offseason.