2. Chris Paul balls out in his last games with the Phoenix Suns
This has more to do with the post-series events moreso than the events in the series but it is still an important storyline to watch. What happens in the series is also going to cause what happens after the series as well.
Chris Paul will have a solid series and will continue to play the brand of basketball that he has played all season. Devin Booker will struggle as Alex Caruso and the defense focuses on him and overall, the young core of Phoenix will simply be outmatched.
Paul will be visibly frustrated during the series. After losing in five games to the Lakers, Paul will opt out of his contract and sign a new multi-year deal with a contender.
Before the season I would have given CP3 opting out a zero percent chance. However, after such a strong season in which he is getting MVP buzz he has earned himself another contract. He could earn $44 million next season, or he could sign a three-year, $100-110 million contract to guarantee more earnings to end his career.
Plus, he needs to be somewhere that can realistically contend for a title to end his career. That place is not Phoenix, despite how well they played this season. You need more starpower to win a championship and the Suns do not have the means to provide that.
A destination that makes a lot of sense is the Miami Heat, especially with Victor Oladipo re-injuring his knee. The Heat have cap space freeing up after this season that they were prepping for Giannis Antetokounmpo and an opening at point guard. Their two superstars, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, would complement Paul nicely.
Paul gets to go play the final three years of his career in sunny Miami, Florida with no state income tax on a team that matches perfectly with Paul’s ethos as a grit and grind veteran.
A starting five of CP3, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo is good enough to contend for a championship.