Hoops Habit
Fansided

How the Phoenix Suns can pull off a trade for Chris Paul

By Dalton Sell

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 29, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 29, 2020 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Oklahoma City Thunder: Chris Paul
Phoenix Suns (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Per a report from ESPN, the Phoenix Suns are entertaining the idea of a Chris Paul trade as they look to contend next season.

After an impressive showing in the NBA’s restart, the Phoenix Suns reportedly plan to keep the momentum going by targeting Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul via trade.

Per a collaborative report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps:

"The Phoenix Suns have had discussions about acquiring All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources told ESPN. Talks have been ongoing and continued to gather traction but there is no deal imminent, sources said. There is currently a moratorium on trades as the NBA goes through procedures to start next season ahead of the league’s draft next week."

Paul was widely expected to be pursued via trade this offseason, and the Phoenix Suns are surely an eye-catching name thrown into the mix. However, the move makes sense, given their lack of overall success in recent memory. The team has not made the postseason since 2010, and there is a sour taste in their mouth left from this season’s conclusion, where they reeled off an undefeated 8-0 run in the NBA’s restart but still missed the playoff cut. As they look to make a playoff push next season, Chris Paul could help them finally break the spell.

Related Story. Knicks: 3 outrageous trade packages for Westbrook. light

A potential trade package between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder centered around Chris Paul

While the specifics in current negotiations remain unknown, a potential deal involving the two teams could look as so:

The most important variable in any Chris Paul trade discussion is the 10-time All-Star’s hefty contract over the next two seasons. Paul will make approximately $41.4 million next season, followed by a player option worth $44.2 million in 2021-22. To make salaries work, they give up Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ricky Rubio, who will make a combined $31.4 million next season, while also swapping first-round picks with OKC in this upcoming draft.

This proposed scenario has some interesting components for both parties, and here is why the Phoenix Suns and OKC Thunder would each consider doing it.

Home/Phoenix Suns