KEY POINTS

  • Phoenix Suns are in talks for a possible trade for Chris Paul
  • Paul is still heavily linked to the Lakers
  • Dwyane Wade and Kendrick Perkins are optimistic about Paul joining LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites to land Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul, but another Western Conference team is already in talks for a possible trade.

Following an impressive post-season stint with OKC, Paul has become a top target this offseason once again. After claiming their 17th NBA title, the Lakers are expected to bolster their roster by adding a veteran like Paul.

However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Wester Conference rivals, Phoenix Suns have already “had discussions” about a potential trade deal for the 10-time NBA All-Star.

The veteran NBA insider further noted that Paul’s possible move to Suns could progress soon as the story is “forthcoming.”

According to Paul’s current contract with Thunder, the 35-year-old is all set to make $41.4 million in 2020-21 and has a $44.2 million player option for the following season.

However, OKC’s plan to revamp its roster has tempted an array of teams to make a swoop for Paul.

The Suns have been hungry for the playoffs having eliminated for 10 straight seasons. The team seems to view Paul as a suitable leader and a terrific co-star for Devin Booker.

Chris Paul L.A. Clippers
Chris Paul was selected fourth overall by New Orleans back in 2005, spending his first six seasons in the league earning Rookie of the Year honors, four All-Star appearances, and guiding the franchise to its only playoff series victory in the last 12 years. Reuters

Ahead of Paul’s possible departure from OKC, some NBA personalities already see the veteran guard heading to the Lakers.

Former NBA champs Dwyane Wade and Kendrick Perkins are both optimistic that Paul will consider joining LeBron James in LA.

“If that moment ever happens, you’re putting some of the greatest basketball minds together,” Wade recently said of Paul’s possible trade to Lakers. “I’ve always said LeBron, CP, and Rondo are the smartest basketball players ever. When you think about what LeBron and Rondo accomplished this year, how they made that team work, if you add CP to that same kind of mix, Jesus Christ that’s domination."

“I think the Lakers are going to land Chris Paul, I think Rondo is going to be with the Clippers and I think y’all gonna lose Playoff Rondo,” Perkins said on the Sedano and LZ show.

“That’s the guy I think y’all are going to lose. We all know how great of friends LeBron James and Chris Paul are,” he continued. “Chris Paul has been on record this offseason saying that his destinations are the Lakers in L.A. or with New York.”

Paul has proven that his game hasn’t aged a lot and his numbers back it up. Last season, he averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.

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