Where Will Chris Paul Go??? The Potential Landing Spots for CP3

May 3, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul (3) listens to fans heckle in the final minutes of their 115-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at FedEx Forum. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 118-105. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The question on every Clippers fan mind: Where is Chris Paul going to sign? The All-NBA Point Guard as we all know is a free agent this summer and is free to sign with any team he chooses when free agency begins the first week of July. The Clippers can offer him more money and an extra guaranteed year but that doesn’t guarantee him staying because Chris Paul cares about winning more than anything else. There are 6 teams other than the Clippers that potentially could have cap space to sign Chris Paul to a max deal or very close to one plus a few dark horses in a sign and trade.
1. Atlanta Hawks– The Hawks seem like the most curious team in the Chris Paul sweepstakes. The Hawks since 2008 are in the NBA’s worst position. They are a lower tier playoff team that has no shot of winning a title while also having a zero percent chance of striking gold in the NBA Draft lottery. Even without Joe Johnson, the Hawks found themselves in the same position. Josh Smith is a free agent this year and he thinks he deserves a max contract (HE DOESN’T). Even with a contract around $15 million for Smith the Hawks will have around $15 million to sign free agents but a trio of Al Horford, Josh Smith & Chris Paul isn’t beating Miami’s big three. If the Hawks decide to part ways with Smith though that is where things get more interesting. Dwight Howard is from Atlanta and it’s clear that Dwight Howard doesn’t do well in a big market. The Hawks haven’t made the Finals since the 50’s so there will be no pressure there. Atlanta seems the only destination for a pairing of Paul & Howard with maybe an exception to the Clippers but ill touch on that another time. The rumor around the league was Chris Paul was unhappy with the maturity of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, how unhappy would he be with Dwight Howard??? The Hawks are intriguing but don’t seem like a plausible destination for CP3.
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2. Cleveland Cavaliers- This is a no brainer. Chris Paul has no desire to go Cleveland and the Cavs have no interest in him. The Cavs already have a great young Point Guard in Kyrie Irving and will be playing it safe with all their cap space to preserve it for 2014. The summer of 2014 is looming and will put a cloud over this summer’s pool because the list of potential free agents next year includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce & Pau Gasol just to name a few. The worst kept secret is the Cavs hopes to lure LeBron next summer and Chris Paul might be one of LeBron’s best friends but Chris Paul won’t be a Cav.
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3. Dallas Mavericks– The Mavericks always seem to be in the chatter for a big time free agent but never seem to get one. Dirk Nowitzki said he will be taking a pay cut so the organization can go after some talent to help him get back to the finals. If the Mavs don’t re-sign Mayo that should give them enough cap space to sign one max player and another high tier player if they get creative. OJ Mayo didn’t seem like a good fit in Dallas and will probably be playing in a different season next year but why should Paul go to Dallas? Dirk is on the down side of his career and there isn’t much else on the roster that makes this team a title contender. The Mavericks seem more likely a destination for Brandon Jennings or one of the Utah Bigs. I don’t see Chris Paul or Howard going to Dallas. Look for the Mavs to get someone like Al Jefferson and still keep flexibility for the summer of 2014 like Cleveland.
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4. Detroit Pistons- The Pistons are on the way up. They have a great young front court in Detroit with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. The Pistons should have around $20 million in cap space this offseason but that isn’t going to Chris Paul. Chris Paul is the second coming of Isiah Thomas but he doesn’t need to go to Detroit to do so. The Pistons are on the way up and a core of Drummond, Monroe and young point guard Brandon Knight could make them a landing destination for other free agents this summer. Look for the Pistons to use their cap space on wings or shooting guards like OJ Mayo or Andre Iguodala.
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5. Houston Rockets- The Rockets have cap space and could make a huge splash this offseason. With the acquisition of James Harden and the young pieces in place on the roster that include Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin & Chandler Parsons, the Rockets are in prime contention to land another big name. Chris Paul could give the Rockets the best front court in the NBA by a long-shot, which would then make Jeremy Lin expendable to acquire more talent. Dwight Howard seems like the target though. Howard would fit perfect with the team and pair him with Asik to the dirty work that Howard doesn’t like doing. The Rockets will be going all in on a max player but Dwight Howard makes more sense than Chris Paul.
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6. Utah Jazz– Chris Paul isn’t going to Utah, let’s get that out of the way. The Jazz have Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson as free agents but seem likely to only keep one because of younger and cheaper options Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors already on their roster. If the Jazz only keep one, they will have about $12 million in cap space so look for the Jazz to be busy this off-season signing role players and being trade partners. Every team needs bigs and Utah has plenty.
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7. Dark Horse Trade– The Knicks have been in the rumblings for Chris Paul since Carmelo Anthony’s wedding. The problem though is the Knicks have very little wiggle room to acquire Paul. The Knicks have been creative in the past especially when they came out of nowhere to sign Tyson Chandler. The elephant in the room though is Amare Stoudemire’s contract and the new collective bargaining agreement which makes it hard for luxury tax teams to acquire players. If the Knicks don’t find a destination for Amare then things get near impossible for Chris Paul to join Carmelo. The Knicks would need Paul to demand a trade to New York. The likely deal would involve Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan going to New York while the Clippers receive Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Iman Shumpert and a couple other pieces. This trade seems highly unlikely but it’s the only way the Knicks get Paul and the Clippers would at worst get something in return. Paul would also be taking a discount for this to happen but playing in New York he would easily make that money back. No other team seems like a trading partner for Chris Paul unless the Lakers amnesty Kobe Bryant *Cough *Cough Not Happening *Cough.

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8. Los Angeles Clippers– “There’s no place like home!” The Clippers are in the driver seat to retain Chris Paul but there is no guarantee until he signs the extension. The Clippers had their best record in franchise history this year and it still wasn’t enough to keep Coach Vinny Del Negro. Times have changed in Clipperland and a playoff appearance isn’t good enough. They Want More! More is better! Vinny Del Negro wasn’t getting the job done and didn’t make the adjustments needed to advance in the playoffs. Also having good players, doesn’t make you a good coach. I might be in the minority but the Clippers made the right decision with Del Negro. The Clippers current roster is better than any other team can offer Chris Paul, plus he knows these guys after playing with a majority for the past two years. The Clippers will be one of the busiest teams this offseason with only six players on the books, with decisions only making the team better for years to come which is something new for them. The Clippers give him the best opportunity to win and that’s what matters to Chris Paul.

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