Now a decade into a playoff drought, the Phoenix Suns are eager to keep their bubble momentum and get back into the postseason.
That has reportedly sent them calling about an all-star on the trade market.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had discussions with the Suns centered around point guard Chris Paul, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps.
Windhorst wrote that the talks have “continued to gather traction” but that there is “no deal imminent.”
Such a trade would team Paul back up with a pair of former New Orleans Hornets associates. Jeff Bower, a Phoenix senior vice president of basketball operations, was the Hornets’ general manager in 2005 when New Orleans drafted Paul.
Suns head coach Monty Williams spent a year with Paul as the Hornets’ coach before Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Phoenix Suns have had discussions about acquiring Chris Paul from the OKC Thunder, sources tell me & @TimBontemps. Story forthcoming.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) November 11, 2020
The simplest trade would involve Kelly Oubre ($14.3 million) and Ricky Rubio ($17 million). Phoenix has enough cap space to eat the remainder of Paul’s salary. Oubre only has one year left on his deal and Rubio has two, so the Suns would likely have to include draft capital as well.
Oubre, who will turn 25 in December, is a player the Thunder could evaluate as a long-term re-signing option or trade for draft capital or a young player.
The Suns, meanwhile, would increase their chances of getting back to the playoffs. It may be hard to remember, but from 1988 through 2010, Phoenix reached the postseason in 19 of 22 seasons. There’s desperation to get back, especially with Devin Booker entering Year 6.
With Paul joining Booker, center Deandre Ayton and wing Mikal Bridges, Phoenix would have a strong corps.
Paul proved he’s still among the most impactful players in the league last season as he led the Thunder to a playoff position and earned an All-NBA Second Team nod.
Over the next two seasons, though, he is owed $85 million. His trade value is the highest it has been over the last couple years, and the Thunder have indicated an upcoming rebuild.
A trade like this would get that new era rolling.
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