Chris Paul just got his last, best chance to win a title

The Suns traded for Kevin Durant in a blockbuster move. This is Chris Paul’s best chance to win a title, pairing him with the best teammate of his career.

In the middle of the night, a shocking and crazy blockbuster trade went down with the Nets trading Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren to the Suns for four unprotected first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder. In a deal that seemed destined for the summer (if at all), the Nets decided to “part ways on good terms” and make a move now.

The fact that the Suns were able to keep Deandre Ayton in this deal makes it Paul’s best chance to win a title. The Suns (when healthy) would be starting Paul, Devin Booker, Durant, Warren, and Ayton. While they will be active on the buy-out market and the bench will get better, it is still somewhat solid as they have Torrey Craig, Dario Saric, Landry Shamet and Cam Payne.

Chris Paul has never been on a better team before, not with the Clippers or the Rockets. Paul has never played with two other all-NBA player wings before. The West just got a lot more interesting and how Denver and Memphis respond to this is gonna be fun to watch.

Chris Paul has never played with the best player in the conference (and arguably in the NBA)

Not with James Harden nor anyone during his tenure with the Clippers has Paul ever played with a talent like Durant. While he certainly has played with All-NBA players before, he has not played with arguably the best player in the conference (or in the NBA) before.

Paul has diminished in talent this season and certainly is the third wheel on this team when fully healthy. Still, the Suns are primed to make a big run this season. A fifth seed past mid-season should never be considered the favorite to win it all, but the Suns certainly have an argument to be considered the favorite to come out of the west, if not bring home the title.

While Paul’s skill level has gone down, this is the veteran’s best chance to win a title. The KD, Paul, and Booker pairing have a chance to be than the Rockets 2017-18 that went to the conference finals. With the Durant addition, the Suns are better than when they went to the Finals two seasons ago. While that team had more depth, this team has Kevin “freakin” Durant.

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