4 NBA Trade Machine Scenarios to Get Chris Paul Out of Oklahoma City

In the blockbuster deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul was sent the other way and is, for the moment, a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC fans who saw Paul for two seasons when Hurricane Katrina forced the New Orleans Hornets to Oklahoma City will likely be disappointed, however, as Paul is almost a certainty to be moved elsewhere. These four deals make the most sense for Oklahoma City.

1. CP3 To The 305

While the Heat are unwilling to part with Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo and lack tons of draft picks to be a deal, their biggest tradable asset is likely small forward Justise Winslow. Together with the aging Goran Dragic and his $19 million deal, OKC could get a few expiring pieces that can assist the rebuild, while Paul goes to a Miami team that will ride him and Jimmy Butler to at least a playoff spot. Another alternative, should the Heat want to hold onto Winslow, is Kelly Olynyk.

2. Minnesota Gets Rid of Andrew Wiggins' Contract

As unfairly maligned as Andrew Wiggins can be at times, his contract is looking worse by the year. To Wiggins' credit, he's only 24 and can still score 20 points with his eyes closed, which makes him a more valuable asset than a 34-year-old point guard with a declining jump shot and a discouraging injury history. OKC might need to throw in a young guard like Terrance Ferguson or a draft pick to entice Minnesota, but they could come out of this deal with a young piece to build around and a solid rebounding big in Gorgui Dieng.

3. The Bulls Make A Move For A Star

The Bulls have quietly built one of the best young cores in the league with Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter, and No. 7 overall pick Coby White. Still, they need a star, if they want to compete now, to give this young unit some cohesion and leadership. This deal would allow them to shed the Otto Porter contract, clear up the Kris Dunn-White logjam by moving White to the 2 guard spot, and give them a star who could take them to the playoffs.

4. CP3 Goes Back Home

Paul grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and became a local legend when he stayed home for college and went to Wake Forest. The Hornets not only lost their star in Kemba Walker, but are saddled with a couple albatross contracts in Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, and Bismack Biyombo. This deal, even at the cost of the underperforming Malik Monk, would give the Hornets a star and local celebrity that the team could embrace, even if they might miss out on the playoffs.