Why Chris Paul will be the Cavs primary free agent target next summer

Don’t be surprised when the Cleveland Cavaliers are courting Chris Paul in free agency next summer.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers newly acquired All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas in the final year of a four-year, $27 million contract he signed in 2014, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Chris Paul, who is in the final year of a five-year, $107 million contract he signed in 2013 will be an unrestricted free agent next summer as well.

Given the choice, there aren’t many who would pick Thomas over Paul in a Battle of the Point Guards. I wouldn’t expect the Cavs too either.

Thomas, a two-time All-Star who has shown the ability to be a feature player and face of a franchise with his offensive capabilities and killer instinct in the biggest moments of games, is one of the best players in the league. Even more impressive is that Thomas was picked 60th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and overcome all odds to be sired as “The Mighty IT”.

However, Paul is one of the game’s living legends.

A cerebral point guard who can do it all, whether that be getting buckets (from anywhere on the court), doling out dimes or locking down on the perimeter, Paul has shown himself to be one of the best players to ever play the game. A 9-time All-Star and the 2005-2006 Rookie of the Year, Paul is now 10th all-time in career assists, 15th all-time in career steals, 2nd all-time in career assist percentage, 8th all-time in career steal percentage, 2nd all-time in win shares per 48 minutes, 3rd all-time in box plus/minus and has the highest career offensive rating in NBA history.

Paul is also one of LeBron James’ best friends. The same James who can, and is widely expected to, opt-out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers next summer. While opting out of a contract doesn’t mean James won’t re-sign with the team it does mean that for a period of time James will be an unrestricted free agent. In the process of trying to re-sign James, the Cavs will have to do what they’ve done in every season since the King’s return.

Try to woo him.

Truly, what better way to woo him than to court one of his closest friends and a player in the pantheon of great point guards? On the court, the fit would be excellent although James likes to commandeer the offense as well. There’s a real chance that Paul and James will act as a two-headed maestro on offense, effectively setting each other and teammates up for scores while getting creating shot opportunities for themselves when they see fit.

In addition, because of Paul’s defensive abilities, Love’s lack of agility is less important and so he’ll be able to man both the power forward and center positions regularly. That’s a factor that opens up possibilities for the Cavs at the forward spot.

With Jae Crowder’s defense and three-point shooting ability, the Cavs would be wise to keep him on the floor as much as possible and that’s easier if Love can play solid minutes at center. However, Love’s interior defense was never his strong suit and with point guards like Kyrie Irving or Thomas, who are seen as defensive liabilities on the perimeter and in the pick-and-roll, Love’s ability to protect the rim is more important than what it would be if the Cavs employed a point guard who could consistently stop perimeter penetration like Paul can.

Furthermore, while Crowder is the most valuable combo forward outside of James himself, 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony is a combo forward that would benefit from the presence of Paul for the same reasons. With Love able to play the center position more consistently, head coach Tyronn Lue would be able to place Paul, James, Love and Anthony on the floor at the same time consistently and not worry about the team’s defense. Considering how potent the offense would be with the four aforementioned players sharing the court at the same time, the Cavs would be able to field one of – if not the most – dangerous four-man units in the league.

A true Big 4.

Anthony, another of James’ best friends, will also have the opportunity to opt out of his contract next summer and sign with the Cavs as an unrestricted free agent. If Paul agrees to sign, it increases the likelihood that Anthony can be signed as well – and take a pay cut to do it.

In any case, the arrival of Paul would signal nothing but positives for the Cavs. They’d have a point guard who not only could score from all three levels like Irving and Thomas can but one who excels as a facilitator and defender, two aspects of the game that neither Irving or Thomas has come close to mastering.

The Cavs would undoubtedly be the best team in the East with Paul in-tow and, if the signing brought Anthony on board, they’d have a roster to rival that of the Golden State Warriors once and for all.

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*All stats referenced from www.basketball-reference.com