NBA Trade Rumors: Chris Paul Or Derrick Rose, Who Should The Lakers Trade For And Why?

With the 2019-20 NBA season officially coming to an end with the Los Angeles Lakers winning their first championship since 2010, every organization has now entered the off-season in hopes of improving their roster situations. Even though the Lakers did win their 17th franchise championship this season, LeBron James’s urge in dethroning Michael Jordan’s “GOAT” status is enough to fuel this organization to go back to back. Anthony Davis and Lebron James played extraordinarily well in the playoffs, but other notable players such as Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell Pope ( who are now free agents) were big pieces towards their success. However, suppose the Lakers intend on accomplishing a back to back championship victory. In that case, they need to act quickly and efficiently to compete with other franchises such as the Golden State Warriors and the Brooklyn Nets, who are on the rise. 

In the early 2010s, Chris Paul was supposed to have been a member of the Los Angeles Lakers to pair up with Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant. However, the NBA at the last second cancelled this deal, which led to Chris Paul joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Fast-forward to ten years, and these rumours have resurfaced, giving Los Angeles the point guard they so desperately wanted during the great Kobe Bryant. The remarkable aspect of the potential pairing of Chris Paul to Los Angeles is, Paul is still a top point guard in the NBA despite him being past his prime. His contributions to every aspect of the game, including the locker room, would solidify the Lakers dynasty as Paul has been a superstar glue piece placed in wrong organizations or situations for most of his NBA career. What the Lakers can offer that no other team can in the NBA is LeBron James, a player who just won a championship while also being a close personal friend. Furthermore, this Lakers team has an opportunity to possess two of the greatest playmakers basketball has seen would only elevate their chances of winning a championship while granting Anthony Davis an MVP award. Even though LeBron James and Chris Paul are phenomenal players on the offensive end, Anthony Davis needs to be the number one option and the primary scorer if the Lakers want to return to championship status. Rebounding and a consistent 30 point per game scorer were the two aspects that needed improvement when dissecting the number one option on the Lakers. At this point in both LeBron’s and Paul’s career, they need to play slightly reduced roles on the offensive end and grant Anthony Davis the opportunity to become the team’s franchise player. While LeBron is the best player on the Lakers, Anthony Davis is the future. 

The idea of Chris Paul on the Lakers would be revolutionary to the Lakers roster as that would solidify their back to back aspirations. However, Paul’s contract and lack of trade pieces are the Laker’s biggest obstacles that hinder their chances of ever fulfilling this long awaited fantasy. While Paul was an All-Star, he is not the only option at the point guard position. Derrick Rose, a former MVP and multiple time All-Star has resurfaced as an option for the Los Angeles Lakers since earlier this season. 

Although he is nowhere near the production level of Chris Paul, Rose has revived his career and deserves to win a championship just as much as any other player in the NBA. His multiple ACL injuries and rollercoaster of a career have limited him to fulfill his full potential, unlike Chris Paul, who was given numerous winning chances. The Los Angeles Lakers, who can realistically trade for Rose, unlike Paul, can grant him this chance and contribute to an NBA championship instead of his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the extended break that most NBA teams have received, Derrick Rose is healthy and ready to be on a contending team. He may lack the level of playmaking ability as Chris Paul but, his role would be similar to Spencer Dinwiddie, a player that can continue the scoring momentum of the starters while averaging 15 or more points a game! 

While both Paul and Rose can elevate the Los Angeles Lakers to returning to the NBA finals, the Lakers would benefit more from Derrick Rose due to the contracts. Paul is the better player that has more to offer but also has a more significant price. Derrick Rose, a scoring machine this season, is worse than Paul but would be better for the team when factoring in attaining other role players. Most of the Lakers roster are free agents this season, which entails that the Lakers are eager and desperate in signing key rotational players. If the Lakers trade for Paul, this limits their chances of signing players and having depth as a whole if they fail to trade for him this off-season. However, Derrick Rose, who is only making seven million dollars, can grant the Lakers a reliable sixth man or starter while having the comfortability of signing solid bench pieces. Even though Paul was an All-Star this season, the Lakers should trade for Derrick Rose over anyone else in the NBA as he brings the best upside for the price. An 18 point per game scorer making seven million dollars a season is definitely a diamond in the rough!