After one year in Oklahoma City, star point guard Chris Paul is on the move.
The All-Star has been traded to the Phoenix Suns for wing Kelly Oubre, point guard Ricky Rubio, second-year guards Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque, and a 2022 first-round draft pick, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania.
Oklahoma City is also sending Abdel Nader in the deal.
Paul returned to All-NBA form with the Thunder, leading a young group to the playoffs and tying for the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.
In pushing the team to unexpected heights, he regained trade value despite having more than $85 million attached to the next two years of his contract.
In return, the Thunder are getting two young guards, a pair of players who have trade value and a protected future first-round pick.
The deal sends Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Suns for Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2020
Rubio was an excellent presence for the Suns this season, serving a role similar to Paul, though his play was at a lower level. He provided the young Phoenix team with an experienced playmaker whose feel for the game and calming demeanor helped the team win more games than they had since 2015, even with the shortened season.
With two years left on his contract for a little less than $35 million, Rubio can fetch a return from a team in need of veteran guard leadership.
Oubre is a more interesting piece. He heightened his game to a new level last year, averaging 18.7 points and increasing his 3-point percentage to 35%. He can create his own looks and drives to the lane well, and was surprisingly clutch from deep late in close games.
He turns 25 in December. His talent level on an expiring deal can likely net the Thunder another draft pick or young player on a longer deal, or Oklahoma City could even look at him as a long-term wing option to pair with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Darius Bazley.
Jerome was a first-round pick last year whose rights were traded from the Boston Celtics to the Phoenix Suns on draft night. The now-23-year-old did not get much playing time but will have less backcourt competition on the Thunder.
Lecque spent most of last season in the G League. He’s a developmental project known for his dunking ability.
The draft pick is protected 1-12 in 2022, 1-10 in 2023, 1-8 in 2024 and unprotected in 2025, according to Charania.
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