NBA Trade Rumors: Hornets' Chris Paul for Thunder's Russell Westbrook?
As we approach the offseason, there were be a plethora of NBA trade rumors that will involve Chris Paul.
With the elite point guard staring impending free agency in the face after the 2011-12 regular season, there's already a ton of speculation as to where he'll land in a trade.
The Hornets certainly don't want to come away empty-handed, and with the team's financial struggles, their chances of keeping Paul long-term seem rather remote.
We've already heard of a straight-up swap of Paul for Russell Westbrook, so we're going to break down some other potential big deals that would send CP3 to a different destination.
Note: All trades were conducted using ESPN's NBA Trade Machine.
Winners and Losers of Rumored OKC-NO Trade
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New Orleans Hornets GM Dell Demps recently commented on the Paul-for-Westbrook rumor and was able to dispel notions that those discussions had taken place, but it sure would have been interesting had it gone down.
Winners: Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Hornets, Chris Paul
The Thunder and Hornets both would do well in this trade to maximize value for their teams.
Oklahoma City would be able to feature Kevin Durant more prominently in the offense, and frankly the offense would probably be more efficiently facilitated with Paul.
As for the Hornets, they get a very solid consolation prize in Westbrook, who the team can build their franchise around for several seasons.
Losers: Russell Westbrook
Westbrook can have his own team, but he'll certainly be taking a step back from winning a championship by heading down to Louisiana.
New York Knicks
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New Orleans Acquires: C. Billups, L. Fields, T. Douglas, two future first-round picks
New York Acquire: C. Paul
The Knicks didn't wait long to pick up Chauncey Billups' contract option during the offseason, and at a whopping $14.2 million, the veteran could be a very valuable trade chip at the deadline.
I know a lot of Knicks fans love both Fields and Douglas as they build the roster with depth off of the bench, but neither one will have the impact of CP3 on the franchise.
With their own construction of the Big Three, the Knicks could finally compete in the Eastern Conference and make a legitimate postseason push.
Dallas Mavericks
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New Orleans Acquires: J. Kidd, S. Marion, R. Beaubois, two future first-round picks
Dallas Acquires: C. Paul, D. Andersen
Dallas has done quite well this season and is now in the midst of a gritty battle for the championship with Miami, but if they want to secure success for the long term, they have to move on from the past.
Dealing Kidd and Marion would be wise after both enjoyed rebound seasons, and if Paul were to come into town, Beaubois would have no relevance on the Dallas bench and the Mavericks would gladly part ways for a chance at Paul.
Not only does Paul give the team a legitimate superstar to pair alongside Nowitzki, but they'd also be able to maintain power atop the Western Conference for the foreseeable future.
San Antonio Spurs
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New Orleans Acquires: T. Parker, G. Hill, J. Anderson and two first-round picks
San Antonio Acquires: C. Paul, J. Jack
When the Spurs were surprisingly knocked out of the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies, it became clear that this team needs a shakeup of some sort.
Although they just signed Parker to a four-year, $50 million extension during the season, the Spurs could find a chance to land CP3 an enticing enough option to pull the trigger.
San Antonio gives up some youth in the deal, but they get an elite point guard to pair with Ginobili and Duncan, and Jack can definitely replace Hill as the sixth man off of the bench.
Orlando Magic
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New Orleans Acquires: J. Nelson, H. Turkoglu, R. Anderson, B. Bass and first-round pick
Orlando Acquires: C. Paul, T. Ariza
If Dwight Howard wants to stay with the Magic long-term and build a dynasty with the team, he should be giving every indication to the front office to pursue Chris Paul.
The Magic have a lot of depth on the bench and could certainly spin some off in an attractive package built around Paul's replacement (Nelson), and although the Hornets would have to assume Turkoglu's bloated contract, they get very attractive pieces in the other three players.
The Hornets would be wise to listen to any offer from the Magic, because in a deal for Chris Paul, they'd probably be able to have anyone not named Dwight Howard.
Los Angeles Lakers
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New Orleans Acquires: P. Gasol, two first-round picks
Los Angeles Acquires: C. Paul
Dwight Howard isn't going to be the only big name rumored to land in Los Angeles this offseason.
After Gasol's postseason meltdown, there are a lot of Lakers fans that would be in full-fledged support for shipping him out of town, but it's really only worth doing if the team can get an elite option in return—and that's exactly what Paul qualifies as.
The Lakers obviously have a gaping hole at the point guard position that they desperately need to plug, and they'd be able to slide Odom off the bench and into the starting lineup with Pau's potential departure.
Charlotte Bobcats
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New Orleans Acquires: D. Augustin, S. Jackson, G. Henderson and first-round pick
Charlotte Acquires: C. Paul
The Bobcats have done an awful lot of waffling on the future of D.J. Augustin as the long-term answer at the point guard position, and this presents a prime way to finally make a firm stand.
Chris Paul and Michael Jordan already have a good working relationship, and if the team has a chance to rid itself of all of the money owed to Jackson, it would be a move worth making.
For the Hornets, they get three very valuable assets that can all immediately contribute to the team that lacked the ability to score large totals consistently throughout the regular season.
Los Angeles Clippers
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New Orleans Acquires: C. Kaman, M. Williams, E. Bledsoe, A. Aminu and first-round pick
Los Angeles Acquires: C. Paul, E. Okafor
This might just be a deal that could work out quite nice for both parties involved.
The Clippers would receive Paul and Okafor to play alongside Blake Griffin and provide a formidable one-two punch of superstars on the "other" Los Angeles team.
The Hornets would get young, attractive assets in Bledsoe and Aminu while successfully unloading Okafor's burdensome contract in favor of a shorter commitment to an equally capable Kaman.
The Hornets get a perfect blend in the deal of youth and veterans, and all four of the players that they acquire could immediately start for the team next season.
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