The Suns are emerging as a viable trade partner for Chris Paul but they’ll need to bring the right package to the OKC Thunder if they want to get the deal done
As the offseason is about to kick into high gear the OKC Thunder and Chris Paul are at the center of trade talk.
With a watered-down free agency group, suddenly players who might get traded have taken on a bigger share of the spotlight and have become the focus of NBA franchises looking to add relevance to a title push.
Conceivably, part of the reason for this mindset has to do with teams who experienced immediate success last season with the addition of the right veteran. The effect Jimmy Butler (Heat) and Chris Paul (OKC Thunder) had with their new teams made an impression league-wide. The Thunder came one shot short of moving onto the second round and the Heat got to the NBA Finals.
Another veteran who made a big impact was Rajon Rondo for the Lakers particularly in the postseason. His performance increased his value which may be why another Thunder guard is expected to be the first trade announcement on Monday. If the rumors are accurate, Dennis Schroder will also be exiting OKC.
Suns have to appease OKC Thunder with trade package for Chris Paul
Now that the 2020-21 season start (December 22nd) is confirmed franchises will experience a whirlwind trying to get their rosters pulled together. This coming Wednesday (18th) will feature the NBA Draft, Free Agency Moratorium will start two days later (20th) and the league is expected to lift trade restrictions this coming Monday, November 16th.
Given the circumstances, teams are actively engaged in trade talks, and Chris Paul is frequently the player named as the target. To wit, Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN broke the news the Phoenix Suns are engaged with the OKC Thunder to broker a trade for Chris Paul.
Several teams have been rumored to be in the CP3 stakes including the Knicks, 76ers, Bucks, and either LA club. Josh Wilson examined four potential trade partners in a recent article but at the time Phoenix didn’t seem like a logical destination. How quickly things can change!
Of all the potential suitors this partner and destination seemingly offer up the best situation and potential package for both sides. The problem is the initial rumored offer didn’t appeal to Sam Presti so there is work to be done. That said, the talks continue with Chris Paul and his agent taking the lead with the Thunder’s blessing.
The rising Phoenix Suns:
If charted, the strides the Phoenix Suns made last season could be denoted in a constant upward motion. To start the season, the squad lost the services of Deandre Ayton for 25 games (due to PED use). He returned to play 38 games averaging a double-double of 18.2 points and 11.5 rebounds.
Devin Booker blossomed in his fifth season with the Suns producing 26.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. He made his first All-Star game, gave Damian Lillard a run for his money as bubble MVP, and was named to the first-team All-Bubble squad.
Prior to tearing his meniscus, Kelly Oubre was serving up two-way effort and filling up the stat sheet as youngsters Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson etched their place in the Suns’ future core. While Aron Baynes and Ricky Rubio offered hints of what veteran leadership could do to help the Suns take the next step.
A perfect 8-0 performance in the Disney bubble allowed the Suns to realize they are on the precipice of taking the next step. If there is a single person to credit for the growth it could easily be tied to head coach Monty Williams.
In his first year in Phoenix, the bench boss established team culture, got the youngsters to commit to playing two-way basketball, and taught them how consistency is the key to making the postseason. That’s their goal this season and why Chris Paul is their primary target.
Chris Paul – the Suns missing puzzle piece:
Looking back to a year ago July it’s amazing how completely the narrative has changed. OKC was in the middle of what appeared to be a complete overhaul as they sent out a trio of their top talents including the favorite son Russell Westbrook.
In return for the Brodie, Sam Presti got Chris Paul along with two draft picks and two draft swaps. The extra picks were considered the cost to offload CP3 who suddenly was labeled as overpaid and injury-prone. The phrase hindsight is 20-20 definitely fits the bill in this situation.
Despite being told he would NOT be traded to Oklahoma City, Paul was a complete professional when that was precisely what happened in short order. Paul embraced his role as mentor and leader, delivering an average of 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals per game. He adopted a new all-vegan lifestyle which equated to a healthy season where he missed only two games — one mourning the loss of his friend Kobe Bryant and the final seeding game of the bubble on a CD DNP for rest.
As if that wasn’t enough, the veteran point guard reminded the world of why he is considered the best leader in sports. First, spurring a fourth-quarter comeback in the All-Star game but more poignantly with the Thunder as the clutch time NBA king of 2020.
By season end, he was among those considered in the MVP conversation and earned All-NBA second-team honors. His Thunder tied the Rockets and Jazz for fourth in the West and his team came one shot short of advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
It was a memorable year for Paul reminding fans, peers, and executives of his prowess on and off the court. As NBPA president he worked tirelessly with stakeholders to make the Disney bubble a reality.
One year removed from critics saying he was on the downside of his career Chris Paul is having the last laugh as teams line up for his services. Meanwhile, Westbrook isn’t happy in Houston adding relevance to James Harden’s leadership potentially having been the issue and not CP3.
Moving into what will be a very busy week let’s look at what the deal would likely look like between the OKC Thunder and Suns.
Initial Suns trade offer fails to impress:
Ever the tough conference the West will be even more competitive next season with young teams like the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, Mavericks, and Suns all expected to vie for a playoff berth.
The Disney seeding games and strong close to the season left the Suns desirous to take the next step and subsequently they have their heart set on acquiring Chris Paul to push them over the top.
For GM James Jones, the prospect of a Devin Booker – Chris Paul backcourt coupled with the vet’s leadership could be the missing puzzle piece.
The potential roadblocks for trading Paul are his salary and his desire to play for a contending club. Given the $85+ million he’s owed over the next two seasons it means a potential trade partner has to match the salary which could deplete resources. The NBPA president didn’t fight to get that special contract caveat put in place for veteran players without every intention of opting into his 2021-22 final year of $44.2 million.
Phoenix is a team that can match the salary requirements but the rumored initial offer of Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, and one draft pick isn’t one Sam Presti and the Thunder wants.
While the Suns wouldn’t need Rubio if they had Paul, the Thunder aren’t keen to add players with multi-year deals particularly players they don’t want to retain. Conversely, Oubre is coming off a torn meniscus but more concerning is whether he’d be open to re-sign next summer when his contract is up. Initially, the 2020 Suns draft pick (10th) was said to be off the table but The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor stated in his updated mock draft it’s back on the table.
Phoenix could theoretically offer draft picks in future years as they own all their picks. There are also a number of young assets the OKC Thunder would prefer to be part of the package coming back. No doubt, Mikal Bridges would be at the top of the preferred list. Consider the Paul George trade to the Clippers and remember LA initially said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was untouchable. Clearly, SGA became the core asset Presti wanted in order to get the deal done.
Young Suns asset and draft picks are likely Sam Presti priorities:
The Thunder GM doesn’t have the same leverage as he did with the Clippers, but it’s not that much different given there simply aren’t that many players who can come into a club and immediately affect winning. It’s a very short list, with Kyle Lowry, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler probably the only other guards in the same ballpark as CP3. At least two of that trio isn’t moving anywhere and likely all three.
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With Paul, his agent, and the Suns embroiled in discussion the trade seems more likely to happen than not but it won’t come without a cost and one that has to meet Presti’s approval. A third team may need to be brought into the equation before all is said and done.
Paul is said to be open since Phoenix is close to his LA home which means he’d be near his family. The other relevant factor is the relationship between Paul and Suns coach Monty Williams. Earlier this season CP3 referred to the 2010-11 team in New Orleans that Wiliams coached and this season’s Thunder squad as two of his most favorite units ever.
Ultimately, Oubre would be a great addition if he’s willing to re-sign but the real target should be Bridges and draft picks. And, let’s be real, Sam Presti isn’t just going to jettison Paul to get the salary off the Thunder books. The VP is more than happy to keep the savvy veteran in OKC continuing to mentor SGA, Darius Bazley, and Luguentz Dort.
Although the Thunder VP will do his best to send Paul to a contender and as noted gave the guard permission to meet with the Suns never doubt the Thunder will be Presti’s priority in any deal he agrees to.