1. Derrick Rose is underpaid and Chris Paul is overpaid
Derrick Rose is set to make just over $7.6 million next season, which is probably less than what he is really worth based on how solid he was for the Detroit Pistons last season. Meanwhile, Chris Paul is set to make just over $41.3 million next season, which is absolutely more than what he is really worth at this point in his career.
That is the first red flag in trading for Chris Paul. The Lakers would be taking on an absolutely massive contract and would have to string together several contracts to even make it work. Rose’s contract is not just easier to trade for, it sets the team up better for the future as well.
Paul could become a free agent after the 2020-21 season but that is not going to happen. He is set to make $44.2 million. No person on planet earth opts out of that kind of money knowing that it is their last chance to make that kind of money.
That essentially eliminates the Lakers from getting any of the superstars in the 2021 offseason, which is headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, Rose is only under contract for one more season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He not only allows the Lakers more flexibility this offseason but next offseason as well. It is a smarter long-term play.
The money is not the only deciding factor, though.