This Lakers-Suns Trade Swaps Chris Paul, D’Angelo Russell

One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire point guard Chris Paul from the Phoenix Suns this summer.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Lakers send guards D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley to the Suns for Paul, who has a very close relationship with Los Angeles superstar small forward LeBron James.

“Is it safe to say the second Russell era in Los Angeles is over after he was benched in the West Finals? Maybe, but the Lakers should at least look at other point guard options this summer,” Swartz wrote. “Paul is nearing the 18th green of his career but still averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.5 steals this season. With LeBron James and Austin Reaves handling the ball a lot as well, Paul’s workload would stay at a reasonable level.

“For the Suns, swapping Paul for Russell and Beasley makes them younger and gives Booker one of his close friends to play with. For a team short on depth, Beasley gives Phoenix’s bench a veteran shooter who should thrive off kickouts from Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.”

Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists this season for the Suns while shooting 44.0% from the floor, 37.5% from 3-point land and 83.1% from the free-throw line. The 38-year-old suffered a groin injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals versus the Denver Nuggets and missed the rest of the series.

CP3 signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Suns in August 2021. He has a partially guaranteed contract for next season.

Meanwhile, Russell played poorly in the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets, averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 32.3% from the floor and only 13.3% from 3. D’Lo didn’t look like the player who averaged 17.4 points and 6.1 assists for Los Angeles during the regular season.

Russell becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is close friends with Suns All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker.