Despite not being a free agent, Chris Paul is arguably the most highly sought-after player on the market right now.
The 35-year-old is currently half way through a four-year contract due to pay him $159,730,592. Next season, specifically, he is due $41,358,814 and the following year he is owed $44,211,146. It is unlikely that he will finish out his current deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to Knicks insider Jonathan Macri, a trade for Paul is on the table. The ball is now in New York’s court on how the organization wishes to proceed.
“I’ve been told by a league source that Chris Paul prefers his next basketball home to be either in LA or NY (Los Angeles is where he resides full time) and that has created some modicum of leverage in the ongoing negotiations between the sides,” he reported. “I’m also told that there is a deal on the table that is comfortable from Sam Presti’s perspective, and the ball is in Leon Rose’s court.”
Don’t try to rob the greatest UFC fighter of all time. It won’t end well. https://t.co/VtBEWH0kq3
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 2, 2020
This past season Paul averaged 17.6 points per game on 49 percent shooting. He also chipped in 6.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds per outing. One year prior, with the Houston Rockets, he averaged 15.6 points on 42 percent shooting, 8.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Most importantly, Paul played in 70 games this past year. Over the prior three seasons he had not played in more than 61.
All in all, Paul’s run with the Thunder speaks for itself. He carried a squad that most figured was lottery-bound within a single win of the second round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs.
Braided Tyler Herro is back. You already know what that means. https://t.co/xr5Apwcd23
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 2, 2020
There have been some rumors of Paul possibly heading to the Milwaukee Bucks to link up with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
There has also been some loose chatter about the Los Angeles Lakers having interest, as well as the Miami Heat. How realistic any of those scenarios actually are depend on who you’re talking to.
No matter what, it doesn’t make sense for the Thunder to retain Paul. Given his age and where he is at this stage of his career, he should either be on a legitimate contender or in a location he actually wants to be in. Obviously the Knicks don’t fall into the former category, but they do fall into the latter.
This is how you get into the spirit of Halloween. https://t.co/AcyucHrDHS
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 1, 2020
As such, it is seeming increasingly likely that a trade of some sort will occur. It’s just a question of who will step up to the plate and with what offer. Theoretically New York has enough pieces to get this done, but it remains to be seen if they will deem a 35-year-old a worthwhile target.
One way or another, an answer regarding Paul’s future should come at some point in the next few weeks.
Related: Danny Green Takes Savage Shot At Clippers Over Lakers Rivalry
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
