NBA Trades: 3 Teams that should trade for Chris Paul

#3. Charlotte Hornets: Nicholas Batum and Bismack Byombo:

Portland Trail Blazers v New Orleans Hornets

The Houston Rockets might want to consider the Charlotte Hornets as a viable trading partner. The Hornets are a team that is about to lose one of the NBA’s top point guards in Kemba Walker to free agency. While the Hornets may not be a big market team if they want fans in their arena they need to replace Walker with someone resembling a star.

Paul is not a bad replacement at the point for Walker and a deal that sends Nicolas Batum and Bismack Biyombo to Houston could work. Once again a player like Batum does not threaten Harden’s ball dominant play but could thrive as a floor spacer feeding off of kick outs from Harden. Batum is also a lean athletic defender. Biyombo would give Houston more of what Capela does in terms of rebounding and shot blocking off of the bench and allow the Rockets second unit to defend aggressively on the perimeter.

Such a deal would see $41 million in salary return to Houston for offloading Paul’s $35.2. However, Batum has just three years on his contract at $24 million and Biyombo has 2 years at $17 million.

Daryl Morey does have his work cut out for him if he cannot get his head coach and two main stars on the same page. If Harden and Paul cannot co-exist, then the expectation is the younger and more talented Harden would be kept in Houston while a new home is found for Chris Paul. A $123 million dollar contract and 34 years of age make moving Paul a tough prospect because few teams would be willing to take the chance. In sports, however, never say never.