NBA rumors: 5 potential destinations for Chris Paul

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 4: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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4. Dallas Mavericks

It was easy to put the Mavericks into the conversation to acquire Westbrook, though no rumors attached them to him. They’ve long been on the outside looking in when it comes to acquiring a star, and with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis as the centerpieces, a sneaky push up the Western Conference standings could be coming if a third notable piece can be added.

Any trade to acquire Paul will include significant salary and possibly draft pick or two going the other way. Dallas can do both, and in terms of offloadable salary, they’ve got a couple of easy ones.

Hardaway is working his way back from a leg injury has two years left on the inflated deal the Knicks gave him, with the second year as a player option at $18.975 million. Lee is entering the final year of his contract. The Thunder could see both guys (and their contracts) as flippable assets looking toward next February’s trade deadline, which would surely appeal to them.

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