Chris Paul has been doing his thing with the Spurs this season, running the show on a one-year, $11 million deal. He’s averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds, and oh yeah—he just moved up to second all-time in assists. Not bad for 39, right? But let’s be real, the Spurs are in rebuild mode, hanging at 12th in the West, so flipping CP3 for some future assets just makes sense. For playoff teams needing a veteran who can still run the floor like a maestro, Paul might just be the perfect piece to push them over the top.
Los Angeles Lakers
Potential Trade Offer To The Spurs: Gabe Vincent, 2025 Second-Round Pick (Clippers), 2025 Second-Round Pick
The Lakers are having a rough go right now. Sitting at 13-11 and 8th in the West, they’ve been up and down all season. LeBron James has stepped away for personal reasons, leaving the team without its main leader, and it’s showing—seven losses in their last ten games have made things even shakier. With Anthony Davis struggling to carry the load consistently, the Lakers need a spark to turn things around.
That’s why Chris Paul is such an intriguing option, and would finally give him the chance to play for the Lakers. Adding CP3 could stabilize the offense and give the team a veteran presence they desperately need. Paul would take a ton of playmaking pressure off LeBron, freeing him up to focus on scoring and letting the offense run more smoothly. Plus, Paul’s defensive IQ could help fix some of the Lakers’ perimeter issues, which have been a weak spot this year.
The potential trade—sending Gabe Vincent and two 2025 second-round picks to the Spurs for CP3—looks like a win for both sides. Vincent hasn’t been great this year, and moving him for Paul is a clear upgrade for the Lakers. Meanwhile, the Spurs get a younger guard to plug into their rotation and some extra picks to keep building their future.
For the Lakers, this move isn’t just about adding a big name—it’s about getting back on track. If they want to make some noise in the playoffs and stop sliding down the standings, Paul might be the piece they need to bring everything together.
Orlando Magic
Potential Trade Offer To The Spurs: Cole Anthony, 2025 Second-Round Pick
After becoming the biggest surprise of the season at 17-10, the Magic have been hit hard by injuries to their two key players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Both are sidelined with torn right obliques, which has completely shaken up the team’s momentum. Banchero, before going down on October 30, was averaging 29.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Wagner was putting up 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists before his injury, and he’s expected to miss at least four weeks. Without these two stars, Orlando is struggling to maintain its rhythm on offense.
In their absence, Cole Anthony has been given more opportunities but hasn’t been able to step up. Over 24 games this season, he’s averaged just 5.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in about 10 minutes per game. He’s shooting 37.7% from the field and 32.0% from deep—numbers that just don’t cut it for a team trying to stay competitive. Meanwhile, Jalen Suggs, while promising, is more of a combo guard than a traditional point guard, leaving the team without a steady hand to run the offense.
That’s where Chris Paul could make a massive difference. Adding CP3 would bring stability to their offense and give the team a true floor general who can take control when things get tough. His experience and leadership would help guide this young core and take some of the pressure off Suggs, allowing him to thrive as a scorer and defender. Paul’s presence would also unlock the full potential of other players like Wendell Carter Jr., who could benefit from easier setups.
For the Spurs, Cole Anthony offers a young guard who could benefit from a fresh start, and a second-round pick sweetens the deal. For Orlando, this move isn’t just about surviving the injuries—it’s about staying competitive in the East while waiting for their stars to return. Adding Paul could keep them in the playoff hunt and help them maximize their current roster’s potential.
Miami Heat
Potential Trade Offer To The Spurs: Haywood Highsmith, Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant
The Heat are in the middle of another solid but unspectacular season, sitting at 13-10 and 5th in the East. The rumors around Jimmy Butler’s future aren’t helping either, with talk of him potentially being on the move if the team can’t build something more convincing around him. Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier are solid scorers, but neither is a true point guard, and that’s where things fall apart for Miami’s offense. Adding Chris Paul could give them the floor general they’ve been missing and turn them into a more complete, balanced team.
Bam Adebayo has been struggling offensively this season, and having someone like CP3 running the pick-and-roll could make life so much easier for him. Paul’s ability to set up teammates and control the pace would not only elevate Bam but also allow Butler to play more off-ball, conserving energy for those late-game heroics he’s famous for. Plus, if the Heat can become more competitive with Paul in the mix, they might have a better chance at convincing Butler to stick around instead of exploring his options.
For the Spurs, this trade is all about flexibility. Highsmith has been solid this season, averaging 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, and could be a nice rotational piece for their rebuild. Richardson and Bryant, on the other hand, are on expiring deals, which means their contracts come off the books this summer, giving San Antonio more cap space to work with. It’s a low-risk move for the Spurs, while Miami gets the chance to push for a deeper playoff run with CP3 at the helm.
Houston Rockets
Potential Trade Offer To The Spurs: Jock Landale, 2025 First-Round Pick (via OKC or Suns)
The Rockets have been one of the most surprising teams in the league this season, sitting at 17-8 and holding the 2nd spot in the West. With Fred VanVleet running the show and a strong supporting cast, they’ve exceeded expectations. But their offense hasn’t been as smooth as it could be. They’re still figuring things out, and the rumors linking them to Jimmy Butler suggest they’re looking to make some serious moves before the trade deadline. Alongside the Warriors, the Rockets are expected to be one of the most active teams in the market.
VanVleet has been solid as the team’s primary playmaker, but the Rockets lack depth at the point guard spot. Amen Thompson is promising but still developing, and his strengths lie more in defense and playing off the ball than running an offense. Adding Chris Paul would give them a veteran leader to anchor their second unit. Paul’s ability to control the pace, create opportunities, and keep things organized offensively would take a lot of pressure off the younger guys. Plus, having someone like CP3 mentor Thompson could pay dividends for Houston’s long-term development.
Offensively, Paul’s presence would give the Rockets a true facilitator for the bench unit, something they’ve lacked. Right now, their second unit struggles to generate consistent looks, and a player like Paul could make life easier for scorers like Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., especially when they’re on the floor together with bench players. His leadership and poise would also help Houston close out tighter games—an area where they’ve faltered a few times this season.
For the Spurs, this trade would be about flexibility and assets. Jock Landale brings a solid presence as Wemby’s backup, and the 2025 first-round pick (whether via OKC or Suns) adds valuable capital to their rebuilding process. With this deal, the Rockets address their most glaring need while the Spurs add another piece to their long-term puzzle.
Detroit Pistons
Potential Trade Offer To The Spurs: Malik Beasley, Marcus Sasser, 2027 Second-Round Pick
The Pistons are having a rough go this season, sitting at 10-16 and 11th in the East. Under new coach J.B. Bickerstaff, they’re still trying to figure things out. There have been some highlights, though—Cade Cunningham’s recent monster triple-double against the Knicks was a reminder of just how good he can be. He put up 29 points, 15 assists, and 10 boards to lead Detroit to a 120-111 win.
With CP3 running the offense, players like Cade and Jaden Ivey could thrive off-ball, focusing on scoring and attacking the rim. Paul would also help unlock Jalen Duren in pick-and-roll situations, making things easier in the paint. Detroit’s offense has been clunky and inconsistent, but Paul’s presence could bring the structure they desperately need.
Malik Beasley has been a nice spark off the bench, averaging 16.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 25 games this season. His shooting, especially from three, has been one of the few consistent bright spots for the Pistons’ offense. Marcus Sasser, now in his second season, is showing flashes but still has some growing to do. He’s got potential, but consistency is where he’s lacking right now.
A deal like this—sending Beasley, Sasser, and a future second-rounder to the Spurs—could make sense for both teams. For Detroit, it opens up opportunities for younger players while also adding some future draft capital. On the other side, the Spurs get a reliable scorer in Beasley and a young guard in Sasser who might develop into something more with the right guidance.
This trade isn’t a blockbuster, but it’s the kind of move that could help both teams in the long run. For the Pistons, it’s about shaking things up and staying flexible as they try to build something sustainable. For the Spurs, it’s another step in their rebuilding process.
