At 34, Chris Paul is experiencing an incredible run in Oklahoma. He is converting over 17 points per game and is a main factor in OKC's impressive record before the season was suspended. The season so far saw CP3 proving that he still has tons of steam and unsurprisingly, NBA fans rewarded the shooting guard an All-Star spot.
Equally unsurprising is that NBA teams are taking notice of Paul's resurgence. He has a $124 million contract that runs until 2022 but for serious title contenders, the OKC star has become an attraction. And it's highly likely that no matter the result of the presently suspended season, the Lakers will make a bid on the increasingly productive guard.
The Lakers have been gearing up for a protracted battle, according to Fadeaway World. The game plan with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the team is to win not only one but several titles. While AD is still young, James is already 35 so to wage a war that could take a few years, reinforcements must come in.
Easily, Paul comes to mind as he viewed a huge boost for Los Angeles when slugging with solid opponents such as the Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Rockets.
Trading for CP3 is a wise move for the Lakers. At the moment, the club heavily relies on the tandem of AD and James for firepower and getting another steady hand would not hurt. To be sure, Paul is perfect for this concern.
"There's obviously a tremendous upside to a CP3 deal. Even at 34, his offensive brilliance is unmatched and he can help points come a little easier for LeBron and Anthony Davis," the report said.
That is why Sam Quinn of CBS Sports is convinced that the LA club would make a move for Paul when the season ends. The summer move is just perfect because as already mentioned, Paul's stock has surged since joining up with Oklahoma so bringing him over will not come cheap.
In the offseason, the Lakers would be more to make a tempting offer after a careful check on their finances and assets.
"The Lakers would need to include a young asset to entice the Thunder. Kyle Kuzma would suffice, or if he is still viewed as untouchable, both their 2020 and 2027 first-round picks become tradable immediately after the 2020 NBA Draft," Quinn proposed.
The Lakers wanting to form a new franchise with a third star in the person of Paul is sort of an insurance that the investment made on James and Davis will pay off and for a long period, perhaps two to three years at least.
It is known that James and Paul are close pals so this personal connection might just help in getting the OKC guard to agree, and make the move worth the trouble for the Lakers.
