Charlotte Hornets: Analyzing what a Chris Paul trade would mean
The Charlotte Hornets have expressed interest in the Houston Rockets’, Chris Paul. Does this trade complicate things in the re-signing of Kemba Walker?
The Charlotte Hornets have under a month until the NBA Draft, and they are already expressing interest in making a blockbuster trade. Charlotte has not made a trade of this magnitude in a while, and the most recent speculation could complicate the re-signing of Kemba Walker.
Reports now indicate that Charlotte is one of the teams linked to the Houston Rockets’ guard, Chris Paul. Paul is only one of the players that the Rockets are looking to trade away, and his contract is the reason why.
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In my most recent piece, in which you can read here, I suggested that the Hornets are likely interested in the Rockets’ Clint Capela. It now looks like they’re interested in Paul too.
Don’t get me wrong, Chris Paul is a heck of a player, and he would probably be a great mentor to Charlotte’s younger players, but he’s no Kemba Walker. His contract situation would hurt the Hornets more than Walker’s potential supermax contract.
Paul is set to make over $38 million in the 2019-20 season, and then $41 million in the following season after. This is a crazy contract, and it would take up a third of Charlotte’s cap space.
Moreover, Paul also had a down year this past season, averaging only 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Now if he was with Charlotte next season, these numbers could easily be higher, but I do not think that is a risk that Charlotte should take.
A trade for Paul would make it even harder for Charlotte to re-sign Walker, and if they did, they would have a small backcourt. The NBA has taller players playing backcourt positions now, and this would leave the Hornets vulnerable to many size disadvantages.
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Houston is also seeking a lottery pick in this year’s draft, so Charlotte would also be giving up their 12th pick for a guard entering his 15th season. With the talent in this year’s draft, I do not think Charlotte should just give away their lottery pick.
Don’t get me wrong, who wouldn’t want to see two-star point guards on the team together? I just think it would be in Charlotte’s best interest to stay away unless they really do not want to re-sign Walker.
On Saturday, an interview by The Atheltic came out with Kemba Walker’s most recent thoughts on free agency. Walker currently considers Charlotte his “first priority,” and he stated that he still remembers everything that Charlotte has done for him.
After this report, everyone now knows that Walker wants to stay in Charlotte, and a trade for Chris Paul would make it hard for the front office to make this happen. I suggest that the Hornets should go after Capela, rather than blow their salary cap with Paul.
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The Hornets have a lot to think about in the coming month, as they must prepare for the NBA Draft and the start of free agency. I expect the Hornets to make a splash during this year’s offseason.