Los Angeles Lakers: 3 scary offseason targets that should be avoided

By Jason Reed | Oct 31, 2020

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Chris Paul

There has been legitimate speculation around Chris Paul joining the Los Angeles Lakers and it is unfortunate. This is a horror story coming to life in front of our very eyes. Although, it does seem unlikely that the Lakers would actually pull the trigger on this move, so that is promising.

Some fans reading this article might not think that Chris Paul is a scary offseason target and there is one thing I want to turn your attention to: his contract. Paul is making over $80 million over the next two seasons, certainly valued over what he can bring to the table.

Paul is still a really talented player and is one of the best point guards of this generation. However, he is 35 years old and is injury-prone. The Lakers would benefit more from quantity with all of the money they would spend on Paul rather than forking over a large package to get a point guard past his prime that is getting paid more than LeBron James.

If Paul was on a one-year deal then I would be okay with the Lakers acquiring him. However, if the team were to trade for him they would completely remove any chance of signing a marquee star, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, next summer.

Yes, Paul does have a player option, but no person in their right mind is going to turn down $40 million just so LeBron and Anthony Davis can get Giannis to LA. It is not happening.

I get that Paul and LeBron are really good friends and would love to finally team up together. Let’s just keep that friendship off the court.

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