NBA Trade Speculation: Could Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul Be a Smart Move?

It seems to be an unfortunate possibility that Chris Paul could be traded from his New Orleans Hornets; the million-dollar question is where he will go.

As usual, the big markets like New York and Los Angeles are throwing around trade ideas where somehow they get Paul for below-average players, and I'm here to tell you that players like that will not land Paul.

Sorry, New York, but Landry Fields is not a player that you can build a blockbuster deal around. 

The biggest problem with Paul's situation so far is that his current New Orleans market may be too small to handle a productive NBA team and that has led to numerous questions about the finances and direction of the Hornets. However, the best place for Paul might actually be in another small market: Oklahoma City. 

Let's think of it from Oklahoma City's perspective first. The main criticism this offseason stems from the fact that Russell Westbrook allegedly is not a player that can play next to Kevin Durant. Much of this criticism is earned. However, Paul fits in perfectly with this team. 

Durant really isn't a guy who is in his element creating off the dribble, but would excel next to a point guard who can get him the ball in the perfect spots. Although his scoring hasn't been consistent after his knee issues, Paul is absolutely a player who could thrive as the scoring Robin. He could also be relied on as the primary scorer in spurts, and that makes the Thunder nearly unstoppable on offense.

As well, Paul is a flat-out better defender than Westbrook. Westbrook gets a lot of credit for being a great defender, but his reputation is largely hype while Paul is a player who has been named to three All-Defensive teams in his career. 

Now let's look at it from the New Orleans Hornets' perspective. It appears to be inevitable that Paul will leave town. That said, who are they going to receive who's better than Westbrook?

Westbrook is a player who, whether deserved or not, earned a spot above Paul on the All-NBA Second Team this year, so he is in the same class. Westbrook is also the only player that the Hornets could get back that has been an All-Star already in his career. 

Now thinking about it logistically, Westbrook could thrive in New Orleans. The biggest problem with Westbrook in my eyes is that I think he plays like a Batman, but I am not sold that he has the necessary talent to be a Batman.

We may find that Westbrook is a player like Kevin Martin: best-player-on-his-team material, but his team isn't going anywhere while he's the best on his team. However, a run in New Orleans would give Westbrook a chance to answer the questions about his talent as a Batman, and that's something for New Orleans fans to get behind.

After losing Paul, there's not a lot that the Hornets can do to feel good about their franchise, especially without an owner. However, getting an All-Star-caliber player who's committed to the city could re-spark the Hornets fanbase.

On the other hand, it is likely inevitable that the Oklahoma City Thunder end up making multiple NBA Finals as is due to the newly weakened Western Conference.

However, adding Paul could turn them from a team like the Detroit Pistons of the 2000s, a team that was the best in the conference only because the conference was terrible, into a team that can go to battle against the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls of the world knowing they have a legit chance at winning the series.

I don't know if they can say that right now.