The Wizards are setting a trend with aging point guards by getting Chris Paul
The Washington Wizards have acquired Chris Paul.
First, it was John Wall who led the Wizards at the point. Then he was traded for Russell Westbrook. Now, a few seasons after Westbrook left the team, the Wizards have Chris Paul. All these players are household names, former All-stars, and superstar talents when healthy. But unfortunately, their better days are more than likely behind them. The Wizards have had a weird trend of trading for aging point guards over the last few seasons.
Paul, Wall, and Westbrook are forever connected through their NBA destinies
Westbrook was dealt to the Rockets in a trade that sent Chris Paul to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Russ spent one season with Houston, then was traded for Wall in Washington. Then after a season in D.C., the Lakers acquired Westbrook. Paul spent one season in OKC before heading to the Phoenix Suns. With Paul now being acquired by the Wizards, these three guards will forever be linked as they all have been traded for each other and landed on the same teams.
With the current looming free agency statuses of Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis, it is more than likely that CP3 will not suit up for the Wizards. He will probably work on a buyout so he can sign with a desired team in hopes of another title run. Or, he can take another route, play one season here and help Washington get back to the Playoffs. He can also help tutor some of the young players coming into their own for the Wizards.
Young Wizards would benefit immensely from playing with Chris Paul
Paul is widely regarded as one of the best leaders in the league. Having a floor general like him who’s seen almost everything in this league will be beneficial to that locker room. Players like Johnny Davis, Corey Kispert, Daniel Gafford, and Deni Avdija can lean on Paul to help with their maturation in the NBA. Some of these players benefited from playing with Westbrook as well.
It would be in their best interest to gain knowledge from another legendary point god. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander benefited greatly from playing with CP3 during his lone season in Oklahoma City.
If Paul does not want to stay with the Wizards, a possible move can be to trade him before the season starts to get some pieces to help with a rebuild. There, however, may not be much of a market for an aging point guard who has a long history of getting injured in the wee days of the season.
Paul’s decision to stay or leave could change the power balance in the league
Paul’s decision can possibly shake the balance of the league. A lot of people had a similar thought when the Wizards dealt Russell Westbrook to the Lakers.
Unfortunately, the Wizards dealing with aging point guards is a trend that a lot of fans do not enjoy. The uncertainty of having a point guard for no more than a season is also a trend that does not help the Wizards’ chances of fighting back into contention.
It does seem, however, that the new management team is shaking things up and it will hopefully lead to some positive changes in the not-too-distant future.
