New Orleans Pelicans Rumors: A trade with OKC Thunder for Chris Paul

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New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul, Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans trade rumors: Jrue Holiday to Thunder for Chris Paul

Trading Jrue Holiday for Chris Paul

Paul doesn’t want to come to a rebuilding team, but trading Jrue Holiday and keeping Lonzo Ball would make it a whole lot easier for him to come to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans would still be contenders for a playoff spot and could potentially keep more of their roster intact:

In this trade, the Thunder do not get a young player to build around, but they get a guy who can keep them relevant in Jrue Holiday. They also pick up an additional second-round pick as well as a first-rounder next season.

Paul is good but the Thunder can’t reasonably expect to get much more than this for him, as he is making $42 million next season and there aren’t many teams that are willing or able to take that on.

This one seems a bit better, but I still don’t see it. It’s possible the Pels see Chris Paul as the guy who could get them a title, but taking on that contract would still be a big risk, especially at his age.

Is it possible? Sure. Is it likely? I don’t think so.