Chris Paul's Next Landing Spot Projected, Staying Out West

Chris Paul had a nice season at age 40, playing a leadership role and putting up some nice playmaking and shooting numbers, while starting all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs. But they went out and acquired their starting point guard for the future, trading for De'Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings at the deadline. Not to mention the presence of the Rookie of the Year, guard Stephon Castle, also in the backcourt.

The leaves CP3 likely looking for a new team this summer—what would be his 4th in four years. But according to insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Paul won't have to travel very far, as he's projected to land with the Dallas Mavericks this time around in free agency.

Prediction: The Dallas Mavericks, who need a replacement guard until Kyrie Irving is healthy, use the TMLE (taxpayer midlevel exception) on Paul.

Irving is out until at least midseason with a torn ACL suffered this past March. The injury came just a month after the shocking trade of Luka Doncic, and the Mavs' season was complete toast.

But Dallas is hoping to return to playoff contention next season, with a (ahem...) healthy Anthony Davis up front, then the eventual return of Kyrie. But CP3 would be a great choice to hold down the fort until Irving gets back.

He averaged 28 minutes a night with the Spurs this past season, registering 8.8 points per game, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals and a 37.7% mark from three-point range. The future Hall of Famer was still doing it in Year 20.

We'll see if it's Dallas that gets Year 21.