LA Clippers Trade Rumors 2016: Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving Switch On The Cards?
Los Angeles Clippers star point guard Chris Paul is rumored to be leaving the team and be traded for the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving.
In a report by Ryan Devault for the Inquisitr, the Clippers' supposed reason for letting Paul go was mainly due to their inability to reach the NBA Finals last season with him as their starting point guard.
The report adds that given Irving is "more scoring oriented," he could offer something different on the table, as the Clippers veer away from Paul's pass-first mentality.
"This is why a trade could work between the Clippers and the Cavs, because LeBron James and Kevin Love could use a point guard that looks to pass first. At the same time, the Clippers could use someone capable of scoring more points in the place of Paul," an excerpt of the report reads.
Looking at the contracts of both players, it is reportedly shown that acquiring Irving would be a more financially sound choice to make for the Clippers. According to Devault's report, Paul currently earns $21.5 million and is expected to rake in $23 million in the coming year. He also has a player option of $24.3 million for the 2017-2018 NBA Season.
Irving, on the other hand, is currently making $14.8 million, with a pay raise of $1.1 million each season after. He is under contract with the Cavaliers until the 2018-2019 season, with a player option to re-sign the following year.
As far as numbers go, comparing the two players are not that far off. For the current season, Paul has played in 41 games and is averaging 18.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 2.1 steals, through 32.4 minutes of playing time per game.
Irving, on the other hand, has played in 18 games and is averaging 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.9 steals, through 26.8 minutes of playing time per game.
