Would Chris Paul Really Consider Leaving Houston?

With Chris Paul becoming an unrestricted free agent, he's one of many stars that will hit the open market at midnight on July 1st. After finishing his first season in Houston after being dealt from the Los Angeles Clippers last summer, Paul could potentially be joining his fourth different team for his 14th season in the NBA.

Paul has been vocal about his intentions to re-sign with the Rockets for another run at a title, however. In CP3's first season in H-Town, the Rockets took the defending champion Golden State Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals before being outed after holding a 3-2 series lead.

Some might argue that by now the Rockets could be hoisting their first Larry O'Brien trophy since 1995 had Paul not been injured in game five of the conference finals, causing him to miss the final two games of the series. The fact that Houston was one game away from The Finals would ideally be enough to convince the nine time all-star to stay put.

But as we've seen in the past, players don't always follow through with their commitments (see DeAndre Jordan.) Enter LeBron James. Paul's banana boat buddy James will also hit the open market in July if he opts out of his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which most expect him to.

If James and Paul want to seriously consider playing with each other before they both call it a career, and LeBron is not interested in joining Houston, the two could look to play together somewhere else. Paul was once traded to the Los Angeles Lakers until commissioner David Stern vetoed the deal. LeBron James and the Lakers has been a connection swirling in the rumor mill since The King was bested in the NBA Finals by the Warriors once again.

The Rockets point guard has expressed little interest in signing somewhere else this offseason, but nearing the back end of his illustrious career, Paul may want to make a move that would ensure him a title. If he's not truly speaking of his intentions and is flirting with leaving, teaming up with James somewhere else may be written in the stars somewhere.

If the 33-year old wants to have his absolute best shot at a title while also remaining in Houston, he may have to do everything in his power to convince LeBron to take his talents to Clutch City. Again, Houston may already be good enough to win a title, but signing James and retaining CP3 may just put the Rockets on top of the Golden State Warriors.



By Bryce Wheeler          @BryceWheeler5