Washington Wizards: 3 potential Chris Paul trades to help him contend
By Cem Yolbulan
![WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 28: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball against Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 28, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/58709f742b365a5000ef8dee9e0d5c761746195e446017d7f93ad31e27d7500d.jpg)
The Clippers are not the only Los Angeles team that Chris Paul is an ideal fit for. Paul’s friendship with Lebron James has long been reported on, and the two have indicated their interest in playing with each other throughout their career.
And with this deal, it could finally happen.
The Lakers need to upgrade their point guard position after D’Angelo Russell was disappointing as a Laker during his tenure. His contract expired and the Lakers might not bring him back due to financial concerns.
Instead, they could bring Chris Paul without giving up much. Paul could take on some of the offensive burden from Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Paul has slipped on defense in recent years, but this defensively elite Lakers team could cover for his weaknesses on that end.
In return, the Wizards get Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba. This would require the Lakers to pick up Beasley’s team option for next season. This would make both Bamba and Beasley expiring contracts. This is an ideal situation for the Washington Wizards.
Both players could provide floor-spacing and shooting, and they are relatively young. If the Wizards like what they bring to the table, they could retain them next offseason or they could let them walk and open up cap space. The possibility of flipping them at the trade deadline exists for them as well, especially Beasley and his valuable off-ball gravity.
This sort of trade might not look super attractive on paper for Wizards fans, but if Paul doesn’t want to stay anyway, getting two potential rotation players on expiring contracts is certainly not the worst move you can make.