Pros and Cons of Raptors making a run at signing Chris Paul

Verdict

Paul would be a very enticing return for VanVleet in a sign-and-trade move, but the pitfalls that could come along with bringing him in and failing could overshadow whatever benefits they can recoup by cooking with him. Ujiri may not be in as risky a mood this offseason.

Paul will make the team much better for 2023, but what about beyond 2023? What happens when it comes time to pay Barnes, Siakam, and OG Anunoby? What happens when Ujiri gets irritated with another season spent trying to develop young guys and win at the same time simultaneously?

The Toronto Raptors should avoid Chris Paul.

Over the last five years, Paul has found himself in that dreaded nomadic tier of NBA stars. While he’s not good enough for a team to commit to him as the long-term building block, he is so good that teams keep acquiring him via trade as a complementary piece.

This is unlikely to change after his playoff failures in Phoenix. Unless Paul puts his tail between his leads and agrees to a contract that pays him a fraction of his old salary, it will be tough to envision a scenario where he comes to Toronto and makes a difference in the postseason.