Chris Paul has experienced a renaissance since moving to the Phoenix Suns. But a proposed four-team trade has him going to join LeBron James on the Lakers in a bid to help them bring another championship back to L.A.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus made the suggestion in a column titled “A 4-Team Trade Where Lakers, Suns, Wolves, Hornets All Win,” this week. The imagined trade would see Russell Westbrook join the Charlotte Hornets while the Suns send Paul to Los Angeles and D’Angelo Russell joins Phoenix from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who would get Terry Rozier from the Hornets.
This wouldn’t be as straightforward, though, as CBA rules would require other players to exchange teams, as well as draft picks.
Pincus wrote the following as part of said column on Monday:
The Lakers are fighting to climb into the top 10 in the Western Conference. While coach Darvin Ham has found a viable role for Westbrook off the bench, the franchise does have concerns about his playoff viability, per multiple sources,” Pincus wrote. “If L.A. moves Westbrook, the team needs to replace his shot creation. Though later in his career, Paul would be an upgrade. He has a strong relationship with James and gives the Lakers financial flexibility with two additional seasons (the last one at $30 million is non-guaranteed). Health is always a concern when a player nears 40, but it might be a risk the team needs to take to have a better chance of postseason success.
Depending on who else comes back in the deal, L.A. may also be able to lower its luxury-tax penalty (approximately $44.2 million) by going from Westbrook’s $47.1 million to Paul’s $28.4 million. Perhaps the Lakers can get Jae Crowder out of Phoenix in the deal and/or Mason Plumlee/Kelly Oubre Jr. from the Hornets. The Lakers would need to send draft compensation (starting with a first) to the Hornets for taking on Westbrook’s contract. Charlotte may be interested in some of Los Angeles’ developing prospects like Austin Reaves, Max Christie and Wenyen Gabriel.
CP3 and LBJ Have Always Wanted To Play Together
Paul and James are close friends who have always wanted to play together. The point guard would certainly be a much better fit alongside LBJ and Anthony Davis as he’s a great shooter, which is more than we can say for Westbrook, who is stronger attacking the basket.
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The Lakers had already landed the 37-year-old several years ago but the NBA vetoed the move and he ended up going to the Clippers instead.
The 12-time All-Star is making $28.4 million this season, having signed a four-year deal with $120 million with the Suns in 2021.
