Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Charlotte Bobcats and 5 Teams That Need CP3
Ever since the conversation between Michael Jordan and Chris Paul a few weeks ago, trade rumors began surfacing once again as to where CP3 would play next season.
Chris Paul recently said time and time again that he wants to stay in New Orleans and continue to be the captain of the Hornets.
However, it will ultimately be up to management. Is CP3 in their long term plans, or can they get more players of value in return for the five-year veteran?
The most heated rumor as of late has been a trade that would send Paul to Charlotte.
Here are Charlotte and four other teams that are rumored to be in the hunt for Paul's services.
5. Orlando Magic
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Last summer, one of the teams Chris Paul wanted to go to was the Orlando Magic.
Right now, the Magic are in limbo. With their current team, they will never be able to beat the Heat or the Bulls in a playoff series. They will need to improve somehow, and one way would be to acquire Paul.
Jameer Nelson is a good NBA point guard, but if the Magic want to win a title, Chris Paul is certainly a possibility to that answer.
A trade here would involved a number of players, but Nelson and Paul would be the main pieces.
I could also see the Magic trying to get rid of Hedo Turkoglu.
4. New York Knicks
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The New York Knicks are in the same boat as Orlando. They have a couple of stars on their roster, but it does not look like they can beat the best teams in the East in a seven game series.
Next year, after a year to gel, New York's big three might prove me wrong, but who knows if they will even have the same big three? Chauncey Billups has a team option for next season and does not even know if he will be back.
The solution? Knicks acquire Chris Paul. Now with CP3, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, NOW the Knicks can contend and beat the beasts of the East in a series.
New York was also on the list of places that Paul would not mind going to.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
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The third team rumored to be on Chris Paul's wish list was the Los Angeles Lakers.
I am not sure who the Lakers would part with, but the idea of having Paul, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant on the same team is just mind blowing.
The Lakers would probably have to shed the salaries of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom in order for them to match up.
Los Angeles does not NEED CP3, but if they get him, the Lakers have guaranteed themselves another two or three titles in the near future.
In order for the L.A. dynasty to continue, Chris Paul is a must have.
2. Atlanta Hawks
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Yet another team in Eastern Conference limbo are the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks have a great young core that can stay together for awhile, but how far can they go in the postseason?
Atlanta has been in the middle of the pack for the past couple seasons now, and I do not see them improving any more.
A trade would be very hard to pull off between these two teams, but if the Hawks can pry away CP3, they can become a very dangerous team.
Paul would fit this team perfectly. Atlanta is a young, athletic team who loves to push the ball.
1. Charlotte Bocats
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When Chris Paul was asked if he would return home and play for Michael Jordan's Bobcats, his response was, "It would definitely be something to think about."
This was in reference to the 2012 free agency period, when Paul could become a free agent.
Could he be a member of the Bobcats earlier? Maybe and Charlotte should do everything they can to make it happen.
Charlotte does not have many pieces to offer New Orleans other than D.J. Augustin. This would have to be solely a salary dump on the Hornets' part.
With CP3 going to Charlotte, the Bobcats immediately jump to a four, five or six seed in the East.
