Chris Paul Trade Rumors: CP3 Would Make Lakers Big Favorites in West

Chris Paul could still be heading to the Los Angeles Lakers after the teams involved sent a new proposal to the league for approval, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports. It's a trade that would instantly make the Lakers favorites in the Western Conference.

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The latest incarnation of the deal Saturday night also was expected to include an additional first-round pick for New Orleans that the Lakers were attempting to acquire from a fourth team, two people briefed on the talks said.

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Paul would be the perfect player to take pressure off an aging Kobe Bryant. By having a player who can be trusted to run the offense during crunch time, the mileage on Bryant's legs would significantly decrease. That will make him much more potent come playoff time.

The Lakers biggest competition, the Dallas Mavericks, lost Tyson Chandler, so losing big man Pau Gasol wouldn't be as big of a deal. That's especially true if Los Angeles is eventually able to pull off a deal for coveted center Dwight Howard.

Other contenders, which include the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, aren't without flaws of their own.

The Spurs are nearing the end of their championship window and it's unclear if Tim Duncan has enough power left in his legs to withstand another title run. Chris Paul would basically neutralize San Antonio's biggest edge, giving the Lakers an advantage.

Oklahoma City is certainly a team to watch this season. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook would match up well with Bryant and Paul. However, they don't have nearly as much big-game experience as Los Angeles' veterans.

Over the course of an extended series, the rejuvenated Lakers would still be favored.

It's clear the Los Angeles front office entered the offseason with plans of shaking things up.

That's a smart plan, because it appeared the roster had become stale last season, especially in the playoffs. Changes were necessary and the Lakers appear to be swinging for the fences.

With each passing year, the NBA continues to move toward a superstar-driven league. If any franchise doesn't have at least two elite names, they are starting at a severe disadvantage, which is why adding Paul is seemingly so important to the Lakers. Howard would be the icing on the cake.

Assuming commissioner David Stern feels the new trade is more evenly balanced, acquiring Paul would be a nice first step toward the Lakers returning to the top. But anything can happen in the chaos that is a shortened NBA offseason.