Even though I wouldn't suggest that Kevin Durant being traded to the Miami Heat is a foregone conclusion, it's almost impossible not to think about the possibilities. If this is a deal that comes to fruition at some point in the next few days, signing Chris Paul as part of the retooled supporting cast around their core could be a plausible scenario.
Signing a 40-year-old point guard may not seem like a smart play for the Heat, especially considering that their hopeful superstar acquisition will be 37 years old by the time the 2025-26 NBA season begins, but there's a reason to believe that Paul could still have something left in the tank to offer the Heat.
In the right role, which is probably in a backup one while playing between 18-25 minutes per game, Paul could still prove to be valuable for a winner. Just last season, Paul averaged nine points and seven assists on 38 percent shooting from the field in 28 minutes per game.
Even though Paul wasn't necessarily on a winner (San Antonio Spurs), his production and experience, even at his advanced age, can't be minimized as invaluable.
If Paul can replicate some of that same production for the Heat next season in a backup role, he could emerge as a huge addition to a team that will likely be in desperate need of some depth, depending on what the final deal for KD ends up looking like.
The Heat will be looking for cheap depth options if they land KD
If the Heat pull off the deal for KD, there's no question they're going to be scouring the market for bargain deals in free agency. Whether any of them will be readily available remains to be seen, but Paul could very well factor into those talks.
If Paul is willing to play for less in Miami, there could be a natural fit. The concern for the Heat, though, is that there's a strong possibility that Paul could have more intriguing options.
At this point in his career, Paul is not looking to play on a cheap contract just for the sake of it. If he's going to play for cheap, possibly even a veteran's minimum, it's going to be on a team that will give him a strong chance to compete for a championship.
The odds are that there are probably going to be teams with a better shot to win a title than the Heat that will give Paul some consideration in free agency. But if the right dominos fall in the correct order, there is a scenario in which the Heat trade for KD, and then look to sign Paul to a cheap contract in free agency.