NBA Trade Speculation: 5 Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul

Next offseason, fans will go into a frenzy as two of the game's best players in center Dwight Howard and point guard Chris Paul become free agents.  Sure enough, the questions and speculation will be flying.  Will D12 stay in Orlando or go to another team?  On top of that, which team will be lucky enough to land the talents of Paul?

Today, I would like to focus on the leader of the New Orleans Hornets, who is quite possibly the best point guard in the league.  Last season, he averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 assists and 2.4 steals per contest.  Given that, certain teams may be willing to shell out the big money necessary to land Paul.

Yet, given the state of the New Orleans Hornets, fans may not have to wait until the offseason to see which squad lands Paul.  The team is currently in dire financial straits and a fire sale may be imminent, which means that Paul will have to go.

Here are five teams that could make a play for him and potentially keep him long term as well.

No. 5: Los Angeles Lakers

Though much of their recent trade speculation has been about a potential deal for Dwight Howard, the Los Angeles Lakers could be better suited trading for Paul. 

For as long as I can remember, the team has been without a top point guard (Nick Van Exel doesn't count) since the first retirement of Magic Johnson.  Derek Fisher is a fine leader and good on-court presence, but all he is good for in big games is getting the ball to Kobe Bryant.

Working out a deal for Paul would be beneficial to the Lakers in multiple ways.  Not only would it bring in a top player who could help the team, but Paul could also shoulder some of the load so that Bryant wouldn't have to put the team on his back night after night.

Thus, with new head coach Mike Brown now running the helm, don't be surprised if some housecleaning is done next trade deadline.

No. 4: Los Angeles Clippers

Given team owner Donald Sterling's track record of being cheap, the odds of Chris Paul going to the Los Angeles Clippers are slim, especially if he wants a contract extension before any trade.  Yet, seeing as how the Baron Davis experiment failed and star power forward Blake Griffin needs to be paired with a top point guard not named Mo Williams, the idea of Paul playing for the less legendary Los Angeles team is one that could actually come to life.

Look at it this way.  The Clippers have only been to the postseason seven times in their 40-year history, primarily because they have not had many electrifying players save for Danny Manning, Elton Brand and now Blake Griffin.  They certainly have potential now that Griffin has proven to be everything team management hoped he would be and more, so all that's left to do is bring in another top player who can help lead the team to consistent playoff berths.

In terms of leadership, it doesn't get much better than Paul.  He is a rare type who can both score and pass to amazing averages in both categories and given the state of the Clippers, he could be just what the doctor ordered.

No. 3: Atlanta Hawks

I've been saying for quite a while that the Atlanta Hawks have one of the most talented starting lineups in the NBA.  Al Horford is slowly becoming one of the game's best power forwards, Josh Smith can just do it all and Joe Johnson is a top shooter.  All that's been missing from the team the past few years is a top point guard to feed these stars the ball.

What better man to throw into the mix than Chris Paul?  He isn't a bad shooter himself and with his passing and defense, he's one of the NBA's best point guards, if not the best.  Putting him on the Hawks could essentially be the missing piece of the puzzle that the team needs to get past the second round of the playoffs.

Yet, Paul won't come cheap.  Hawks' management will surely need to give up Smith and possibly young point guard Jeff Teague, not to mention some draft picks in order to land Paul.  Given the financial state of the Hornets along with the fact that Smith has two years and $25.6 million remaining on his contract, this deal could be easier said than done.

However, if both sides can come to an agreement, there's no question that Chris Paul could turn the Atlanta Hawks from one of the Eastern Conference's most consistent teams into one of their most dangerous teams.

No. 2: New York Knicks

After striking out on the LeBron James saga, it is almost a guarantee that the Knicks' front office will make signing Paul a top priority.  Incumbent point guard Chauncey Billups' contract expires at the end of this season and, sure enough, a hole will need to be filled.

Considering Paul's friendship with current Knicks Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, he could jump at the opportunity to play in the Big Apple.  Keep in mind, when at Anthony's wedding last summer, Paul implied that he would like to play in New York with both Stoudemire and Anthony.

Given the man's prowess for playing tough defense and making clutch shots when necessary, Paul could be the perfect man to put on the court with Stoudemire and Anthony.  If the front office misses out on making this type of deal, then the future of the Knicks could be bleak.

No. 1: Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are in a tough situation.  They need to retain center Dwight Howard next offseason in order to contend, yet may not be able to afford him due to having multiple bad contracts like those of Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu on the books.  Yet, the Magic must do everything they can to trade away one bad contract and acquire Paul.

Think about it.  As good as Jameer Nelson is at point guard, he just doesn't have the intensity factor of Paul.  The latter is one of the game's most passionate players and he will put his body on the line and the team on his back under any circumstances, if need be.

More important, however, trading away a heavy contract in exchange for Paul's expiring one (and possibly agreeing on an extension pre-trade) could give Dwight Howard some extra incentive to re-sign with the Magic. 

I've been saying for a long time that the reason the Orlando Magic have struggled in the playoffs for the past couple of years is because their offense revolves way too much around Dwight Howard. 

With a top talent like Paul running up and down the court with Howard, and thus giving the big center some help, the Magic could easily become regulars in the Eastern Conference Finals.