Should the Jazz Trade for Chris Paul?

Before you read the title of this post and immediately flip to the next channel, just hear me out. For many of you the answer to this question is a resounding "NO!" because there is no way in the Uintah Mountains that Paul would sign an extension with the Jazz after this season. But maybe that doesn't matter.

The thing of it is that the Jazz could offer the Hornets a better package than the ones that are being reported. It is unclear exactly what is being offered but so far the offers are something in the ballpark of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Ekpe Udoh from the Warriors, Eric Bledsoe, Al Farouq-Aminu, and the unprotected Wolves pick for 2012 from the Clippers and some package around Andrew Bynum from the Lakers.

The Jazz could turn and offer Devin Harris, Enes Kanter and Golden State's 2012 pick we hold and at least match, if not trump both Golden State and the Clippers' offers. The Lakers' offers are crappy, no matter how much ESPN will tell you otherwise. There is no way the NBA-owned Hornets are going to risk a coup by trading Paul to the Lakers. But is trading for Paul worth it for the Jazz? If you think that Paul might reconsider and resign with the Jazz long term after seeing a future with Favors, Hayward, and Burks then this trade is a no brainer.

But you'd have to consider it even if you thought Paul would be a one and done deal. Notice how I said consider it, not do it. For one, it would be the only way to really give the Jazz a much better chance of making the playoffs THIS year. I don't know if it still guarantees it. Plus, there is no certainty that New Orleans would see the pick the Jazz would trade them for the 2012 draft. Worst case scenario is that the Jazz would make the playoffs, miss out on their own pick and Golden State's pick right before Paul signs a free agent contract with the Knicks. But even then, you would have a Jazz team in the playoffs, which despite what you hear from Jazz fans, probably isn't happening this year without a blockbuster trade like this. On top of that the Knicks would try to do a sign and trade to maximize signing Paul, so there would be opportunity to get something from NY after renting Paul for a year. Anyway, just something to think about. The Jazz are in a position to gamble, if they want to be risk takers.