NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Chris Paul

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 29: Darren Collison /

4. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are the lone Eastern Conference team on this list. If CP3 goes East, he’ll want to either remain the primary ball-handler, or secondary behind LeBron. However, with LeBron connected mostly with Philadelphia and Cleveland in the East, neither situation makes much sense for Paul. Philadelphia would then have a glut of ball-handlers between LeBron, Paul, and Ben Simmons. Cleveland, on the other hand, just cannot afford Paul without moving some pretty bad contracts. So then, it is either the Pacers or Bucks, and Paul would probably prefer not to have Eric Bledsoe prying for touches again.

The Pacers showed this year that they can compete with LeBron. They took the Cavs to seven games, ultimately falling just short. Going to Indiana would give Paul strong players at every position to help him make a run to the Finals. Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis will be the big men who Paul can continue to feed for easy layups. Bojan Bogdanovic gives the team some shooting, but if Paul comes, he will hopefully be able to attract more shooters. Most importantly though, he will have Victor Oladipo.

Last year, Oladipo was the leader of this team. He carried them at times and was the player they counted on to make big shots. He can definitely create his own shot and will be able to maintain the offensive flow with Darren Collison when Paul sits. Having a second star like him is vital for any championship team, which is what Paul wants to be part of.

Going East means he will have to go through Boston, Philadelphia, and potentially LeBron to make the Finals. It is by no means easy, but it certainly beats having to deal with the Warriors before the Finals.

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