The New York Knicks are looking into Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul as a potential trade target this summer, according to ESPN reporter Frank Isola.
New York, trying to find a franchise savior, may think Paul could help turn the team around. Paul has proven this season that he is still among the best players and floor generals in the league.
His leadership and skill set would be an automatic boost for the Knicks, who this year will miss the playoffs for the seventh season in a row.
It’s likely no coincidence that the new Knicks president, Leon Rose, is the former agent of Paul.
The Knicks, according to NBA sources, have been gathering intel on All Star Chris Paul and could make a run at him this summer. Paul, 34, carries a huge contract but he’s had a resurgent season in OKC & is proven leader. (He was also once represented by…Leon Rose.)
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) March 5, 2020
Paul is averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game this year.
His impact goes beyond the traditional box score: Paul is arguably the best player in the clutch this season.
He has played the most games with a five-point differential in the final five minutes, according to NBA Advanced Stats. His 3.4 points per game during that clutch time is tied for the fourth-most among players who have at least 20 such games (Paul has played 41), and his field goal percentage of 54.9% is the second-best of anybody whose clutch time points average is within a point of his.
It makes sense why the Knicks would want him. Paul has been key in the Thunder being in the thick of the playoff race.
What might give them hesitation is Paul’s contract and age. He is owed more than $40 million in both of the next two seasons, which would put New York on the hook for about $85 million total for a player who will be 35 years old at the start of next year.
The Knicks could easily clear out room, but would they want to? That’s the first question they would need to answer.
As for Oklahoma City, the Thunder need to consider whether his contract will be worth it as Paul ages and if the team could find a better use for the money.