NBA executives reportedly think the Lakers will try to trade for Chris Paul this summer. https://t.co/3PWksQCIhG pic.twitter.com/rOxFvPJ5PV
— Silver Screen & Roll (@LakersSBN) October 16, 2020
If James set his sights on Paul, the Lakers would have to send out five players: Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green and Quinn Cook, along with Avery Bradley and JaVale McGee, who need to opt into their contracts to be dealt. L.A. would also need to send its No. 28 pick in November’s draft, signing that player before waiting 30 days to execute a deal in which the Lakers would offload almost $33 million in players salaries.
Isn’t that too much of an upheaval for a team that just won a title?
“It seems like a risk, but sometimes you need to [execute big moves] to make yourself even better,” the executive continued. “The [Golden State] Warriors will be better. The [Los Angeles] Clippers may be better. The [Denver] Nuggets aren’t going to get worse. Your competition is getting better. It worked [in Orlando] for the Lakers, but I don’t know if you have a normal regular season without the bubble if it does.”
LakerTom says
Frankly, there are a lot of things to like about a potential Chris Paul trade. And according to TradeNBA.com, the deal would only require four players: Green, Kuzma, McGee, and Bradley. I not only like the deal for the Lakers but think it could win them a threepeat, which is why LeBron might lobby strongly for it. The problem is would it be the best offer the Thunder gets. Do they really need anymore draft picks? Kuzma might be the best young player being offered by any team. So here are the reasons why it makes sense from the Lakers side:
1. They get a great point guard who would be an elite fit with LeBron and AD who can still do it all at an elite level.
2. They don’t really give up of the major components that won this year’s championship. CP3 replaces Bradley and Kuzma, McGee and Green were going to be traded anyway.
3. They still have the two superstars plus the Big Three role players in KCP, Rondo, and Morris and the MLE to keep all three of them. Plus Caruso and THT.
4. They still have their draft pick to add some shooting.
5. They probably lose Rondo and Dwight but also get Boogie back.
If the Thunder bite, swapping Green, Kuzma, Bradley, and McGee for CP3 would be a slam dunk win for the Lakers. I mean, do you realize he fills the need for a third scorer, second playmaker, and additional defender. 17.6 points, 5.0 boards, 6.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game in 31.5 minutes.
CP3 = THREEPEAT!!!!!!!!!