Chris Paul To the Dallas Mavericks Works in Every Way

Rumors all point to a soon to happen Chris Paul trade.

Executives and people close to the situation have called it imminent and necessary for Paul as well for the team.

Many rumors link Paul’s situation to LeBron James’s decision as well as his marketing company.

Several teams have emerged as candidates to land Paul, including the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trailblazers, and the Dallas Mavericks.

All teams have different perks to offer Paul, but since Paul is not a free agent, teams need to consider assets to offer the Hornets.

Taking this into account, the Dallas Mavericks can emerge as leading candidates for the superstar guard.

The Dallas Mavericks have over $32 million in expiring contracts ranging from rookie contracts in Roddy Beaubois and Alex Ajinca, to proven role players like Jose Barea and Tyson Chandler, to former All-Star Caron Butler.

To say the least, The Hornets have plenty of options to look at.

If New Orleans is to trade Chris Paul, they will probably want to package Emeka Okafor along with him, and even James Posey as well to free themselves from any financial burden.

These three players amount to about $31 million.

There are a few ways this can happen.

Let's examine what a blockbuster eight-player deal would look like.

Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Alex Ajinca, Jose Barea, or Roddy Beaubois, Tyson Chandler, and future draft picks for Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, and James Posey.

The Dallas Mavericks would be sending slightly over $30 million in expiring contracts to New Orleans in exchange for roughly the same amount of salary for Paul, Okafor, and Posey.

This would put New Orleans’ roster to 14 players under contract, while giving the Mavericks, who still have their Mid-Level Exception, 11 players.

This works both ways.

The Hornets get a valuable backup point guard in Barea or Beaubois to play behind (or alongside at times) Darren Collison.

They also receive a former All-Star swingman in Caron Butler ready to provide much-needed leadership and start at the shooting guard position, in which they currently have a hole.

Also, it brings back Tyson Chandler who posted the best numbers of his career in New Orleans, and is only 26 years old.

To go along with that comes project Alexi Ajinca who still has potential to become a role player and contributor.

Mark Cuban and company would surely throw in draft picks to sweeten the deal.

For the Dallas Mavericks, it brings in Chris Paul.

Not much more to say about that.

But it is not the only benefit for the Mavericks.

This deal would alleviate a logjam at the shooting guard position freeing up needed time for impressive guard Dominique Jones, who can emerge as a solid player the way Marcus Thornton did next to Paul.

It also brings in James Posey who proved to be a solid contributor to a championship team with Miami and Boston to play behind Shawn Marion.

Also, it brings in power forward/center Emeka Okafor who can play behind Dirk Nowitzki and Brendan Haywood.

Also, with the departure of Chandler, some minutes will free up for newly-signed Ian Mahinmi.

Lineups:

Mavericks

PG: Paul, Kidd, Beaubois

SG: Jones, Terry

SF: Marion, Posey

PF: Nowitzki, Okafor

C: Haywood, Mahinmi

New Orleans

PG: Collison, Barea

SG: Butler, Thornton, Stevenson

SF: Stojakovic, Pondexter, Wright

PF: West / Brackins / Songaila

C: Chandler, Ajinca, Gray

Not many more trades would have this many benefits to both teams as this scenario explains.

This trade would take days, weeks, and even the rest of the summer to get done.

A slightly less complicated deal not involving Posey, Stevenson, or Chandler could also work, but it would not be as ideal as this.

The New Orleans Hornets would have the chance to build a contender with salary cap relief as well as young prospects.

The Dallas Mavericks would have the chance to chase a ring before Nowitzki’s career is over.

This really does work in every way.

Agree? Disagree? Comment away!