NBA Rumors: Chris Paul Provides More Details On Shocking Trade To OKC Thunder

Chris Paul is having one of his finest seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder despite his age and history of injuries. Further, most felt OKC was just a temporary stop for the nine-time NBA All-Star with murmurs of a possible move to the Miami Heat.

Regardless, the 34-year-old guard revealed additional information on things that went down before his celebrated trade to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the 4th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft detailed how Houston Rockets' general manager asked him if he wanted to go to Oklahoma City. Paul said no but the trade happened anyway. After that, he revealed what the Rockets general manager told him afterward.

‘We won’t trade you there, because you chose to come to us from L.A.’ He doesn’t owe me anything, but that’s where the whole communication thing was," said Paul to Rohan Nadkarni.

But even before that trade, there were already speculations of a growing rift between CP3 and James Harden. Hence, the move hardly came as a surprise although getting Westbrook raised ball-sharing issues. Either way, Paul may hardly care about it anymore as he is surprising many with his brand of play in OKC.

With most singling out Paul's history of injuries, the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year has surprisingly managed to keep himself healthy this 2019-20 season. He has played in 44 games averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. More to that, the 6-foot-1 guard is guiding the young guys in OKC, emerging as a fit despite the team in rebuilding mode.

Looking ahead, it appears Paul is planning to finish his deal with the Thunder until 2021-22. Yahoo Sports pointed out how Paul would have been sent to the Miami Heat had he decline the final year of his current pact. Aware that he is reaching the climax of his career, CP3 may have done the right decision, aware that he may not be offered the same amount of money from here on.

Paul will be 36 years old by the time his current NBA contract runs out. He could still be taken in by some teams but likely as a backup guard and mentor. The numbers on his paycheck may no longer be staggering with CP3 likely staying on simply for the love of the game.