Trade talks surrounding All-Star guard Chris Paul are gaining more traction as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to move him before the 2020-2021 season start.
What We Know:
- The Thunder made it clear that they wanted to enter a rebuild when coach Billy Donovan left this offseason. Everyone is expecting the first step of that rebuild to be trading Chris Paul, and potential deals are starting to materialize.
- The team that is being discussed the most as a destination for Paul is the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have the cap space and the assets to make a deal work for Paul’s expensive contract ($85 million remaining). The Suns could create a package with Kelly Oubre and Ricky Rubio, and they could possibly even throw in a young player like Mikal Bridges.
- The Suns were a laughing stock until very recently, but they’ve turned things around. They weren’t even that good last season, but they had an impressive stretch in the bubble, winning all eight of their games. They have a strong young core, excellent coaching with Monty Williams, and a burgeoning superstar in Devin Booker.
- Adding Chris Paul to the Suns roster would make them that much more competitive in the West. The Thunder have given Paul permission to speak with Phoenix management and he has expressed interest in joining them. Paul played for Suns coach Monty Williams from 2010 to 2011 and has spoken highly of him.
- Another team looking to trade for Paul is the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers’ lack of on-court leadership was exposed in the playoffs when they blew a humiliating 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets. Paul fills a need in LA and could put them over the top.
- Paul played for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017. The franchise has changed a lot since he was last there, but he has maintained a strong relationship with owner Steve Ballmer. According to The Ringer’s Ryen Russilo, Kawhi Leonard reached out to Paul about joining the Clippers and Paul himself is open to returning to LA.
There is no set date on when trades can be made, but the moratorium will be lifted prior to the November 18th draft next week.