NBA Trades: 3 Reasons why Miami Heat should trade for Chris Paul

In what has been an offseason to remember - for not all the right reasons - the exchange involving Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul by the Thunder and Rockets respectively shook the core of the basketball universe. While one was a franchise cornerstone, the other had found a comfortable home beside a generational talent in Houston.

Currently, the Thunder are in possession of draft picks as well as the flexibility that could last them a lifetime. Moreover, they have at their disposal, an ageing but experienced point guard who could get them some more young talent, pick swaps, and what not at this point in time.

Falling in line with a series of bizarre, unforeseen circumstances on the NBA's free agency/trade map, Paul's services might very well be further dealt to other teams - with the Miami Heat being the favourable recipients.

Let's take a look at three reasons why the Point God is something Miami could thrive with.

#1 The mood in the OKC front office is changing quick

Chris Paul is certainly not the most likeable character in the league.

Ever since OKC caught hold of the hard-nosed veteran point guard, they have not shown a keen interest in keeping him for the long haul.

According to the Miami Herald,

After the Rockets sent the guard to Oklahoma City — along with two protected first-rounders in 2024 and 2026 — in exchange for Russell Westbrook, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday on "Get Up" that the Thunder is working with the Heat on a deal. Wojnarowski adds that Oklahoma City is trying to move Paul "as soon as they can" with the hope Paul won't "play a game in a Thunder uniform."

After multiple reports suggesting the Thunder franchise's apparent distaste towards the services of CP3, many potential suitors lined up to offer him a deal. However, the notion seems to have died down with time.

According to Ken Berger of Bleacher Report, the Thunder have not ruled out the possibility of holding on to the nine-time All-Star.

Despite the possibility that Paul will be flipped in another deal — incentivized, perhaps, with a couple of those first-round picks — the Thunder aren’t averse to keeping him and his contract on board if he’s willing to stay, two league sources told B/R. As expensive as the deal is, it’s a year shorter than Westbrook’s. And if Paul does stay, the Thunder will have been compensated handsomely for their trouble.

With the scales tipping in favour of the 9-time All-Star staying at Oklahoma, it's high time for the buyers to start making their pitches.

#2 CP3 and Jimmy Butler just might be that much-awaited one-two punch for the Heat

Two of the most uncompromising attitudes in the league sharing the court.

While Elton Brand expressed no despair in losing Jimmy Butler this offseason, we might see the 29-year-old in a fairly new role down in Miami.

According to The Miami Herald,

As part of a four-team trade between the Heat, Blazers, Clippers and 76ers that became official Saturday with the NBA moratorium coming to an end, the Heat traded away wing Josh Richardson to the 76ers, Hassan Whiteside to the Trail Blazers and a protected 2023 first-round pick to the Clippers to acquire Butler from the 76ers, center Meyers Leonard from the Trail Blazers and cash considerations from the Clippers.

On the other hand, Chris Paul could never truly find his footing playing alongside an offensive beat in Harden. However, the possibilities at hand suggest a favourable coupling of two players who averaged more than 15 points and 4 assists per game each this past season and are desperate for a fresh start.

Moreover, the talent level in both Butler and Paul does not depict a notable difference.

#3 The Point God still packs a lot of scoring within his 33-year-old self

Chris Paul was the 4th overall pick back in 2005.

Paul holds the ability to step up as a game-winner on any given night. Despite having a low scoring campaign last season, CP3 still managed to shoot a fairly respectable 35% from beyond the arc as well as over 41% from the field overall.

He holds the skills to run a smooth offence on any team across the league, owing to his playmaking skills and court vision. It can be argued that his best years are now behind him, but that doesn't make him a liability on any offensive set any coach would plan to run.

He's a career 47% shooter from the field and carries the nerves of steel built over a 14-season-long career. Having him on the roster whilst making a strong playoff run can never hurt a team's chances in any way fathomable.