NBA Trade Rumors: Why Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder Are Likely Stuck With Each Other In 2019

When Chris Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder last week, the point guard was expected to be dealt elsewhere shortly. Now, it’s starting to look like the two sides will be stuck with each other for at least a few months.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, there’s an increasing likelihood that Paul will begin the 2019-2020 NBA season in a Thunder uniform. The Houston Rockets sent Paul, two future first-round picks and two pick swaps to Oklahoma City in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

Oklahoma City is looking toward the future—one that doesn’t include Paul—after trading Westbrook and Paul George for a bevy of picks. Paul wants to play for a contender as his exits the prime of his career.

The Miami Heat were thought to be Paul’s likely and preferred destination. Oklahoma City and Miami haven’t been able to come to terms on a trade. The Thunder will hit similar roadblocks if they try to deal the veteran to another team this summer.

Paul’s contract is the No.1 reason why he might be in Oklahoma City through the end of the calendar year. His $38.5 million salary puts him in a tie with Westbrook as the second-highest paid player in the entire league next year. Only Stephen Curry will earn more.

Assuming he picks up the final year of his contract, Paul is owed $124 million over the next three seasons. LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are all owed less money than Paul through 2022.

Unlike those players, Paul isn’t a superstar. He isn’t even an All-Star anymore. Paul hasn’t made an All-Star team or missed fewer than 20 games since 2016.

At 34 years old and coming off a career-low in points per game, Paul will look even more overpaid in future seasons. He’s got a player option for $44.2 million in 2021-2022.

NBA teams aren’t averse to trading for players that make more money than their perceived worth. Doing so often times means acquiring a draft pick, as well, though the Thunder aren’t looking to give away any of the draft capital they just attained.

The timing of the Paul-for-Westbrook swap makes it exceedingly difficult for Oklahoma City to find a trade partner. Because most of the league’s free agents have long been signed, no team has the cap space that would allow them to absorb Paul’s contract without having to send lucrative contracts back to the Thunder.

You can bet there would have been speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers might look to trade for Paul if L.A. had cap space. The Lakers, however, used up their space nearly a week before Paul was sent to Oklahoma City.

Players that signed free-agent contracts aren’t eligible to be traded until Dec. 15. That group is made up of 40 percent of the league’s players. Even if teams were interested in acquiring Paul, they would have a hard time doing so this offseason.

A lot can change by the time all of the players in the NBA are allowed to be traded. Maybe a surprise contender will emerge, motivating them to acquire Paul in spite of his contract. A team could become desperate at the trade deadline, allowing the Thunder to finally deal the veteran.

Paul could end up playing the entire season with Oklahoma City. His contract will be easier to move in the summer of 2020 when there are only two years left on the deal.