
The Phoenix Suns have had talks about obtaining All-Star point guard Chris Paul in the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN.
Talks are ongoing and have continued to assemble traction, but there isn’t any bargain imminent, sources said. There’s now a moratorium on transactions since the NBA goes via processes to begin next season before the league’s draft following week.
The Thunder have contributed celebrity players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook entered on commerce destinations previously and have demonstrated a willingness to work with Paul on a commerce today, sources said.
The Suns have a promising, young roster headed by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. The team ended last year ardently by going 8-0 at the NBA bubble at Orlando, Florida, narrowly missing the play-in tournament.
Besides their youthful roster, leading to the Suns’ momentum would be that the near completion of this initial stage of a $230 million renovation of Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns are also set to start a brand new, state-of-the-art, $45 million practice facility .
The Suns might have in excess of 20 million in salary-cap distance entering the trade season, leaving the possibility that they might build a trade and look for other free agents.
Paul played a year under Suns trainer Monty Williams at New Orleans from 2010 to 2011, and he’s spoken highly of Williams previously. Paul has also commended the Suns’ type of play.
“His basketball head… I used to get so excited ahead of the matches about the drama that he had been pulling ,” Paul told reporters before confronting Williams’ Suns in December.
Paul has two decades and $85.5 million left on his contract, and it will be a motivation for its rebuilding Thunder to think about trading him. The Thunder, nevertheless, have advised teams they stay interested in maintaining Paul for next year.
Paul is coming off a year where he averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 assists as he led the Thunder into the playoffs. Following the effort, he was called second-team All-NBA.
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