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With the transactional moratorium period lifted by the NBA ahead of the 2020-21 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly struck a deal on Monday to send Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Thunder will receive Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick. The pick the Thunder will receive is reportedly top-12 protected in 2022, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Oklahoma City had been working with Paul to find a potential destination for the future Hall of Famer. Paul turned in an All-Star season with the Thunder, averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists and five rebounds in 70 games played last season.
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
The Suns proved to be aggressive in their pursuit of adding Paul after sending two cornerstone players in Oubre and Rubio while including young players in Jerome and Lecque. The organization is looking to take the next step in its development and believes Paul can be key to get there.
The trade of Paul comes just one day after the Thunder agreed to send Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers for Danny Green and the 28th pick in the NBA draft. Oklahoma City is looking to rebuild and has amassed as many as 17 draft picks over the next six years.
The NBA draft is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
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