A group of ESPN panelists got together — presumably figuratively — to discuss the potential of transactions involving some of the biggest stars in the NBA.
Among these transactions that may or may not occur was a trade of point guard Chris Paul.
The group voted on whether or not the Oklahoma City Thunder should trade the Second Team All-NBA guard, and whether they will trade him.
Results were close. Of panelists, 88.5% said the Thunder should trade Paul, while 80.8% guessed that the Thunder will trade him.
The general consensus is that Oklahoma City is embarking on a rebuilding phase:
The Thunder parted ways with head coach Billy Donovan last month, signaling what could be the beginning of a full rebuild in Oklahoma City. Will All-Star point guard Chris Paul be the first domino to fall?
With trade value despite an enormous salary, Paul makes sense as a trade candidate. However, that salary could hold back potential suitors from even pursuing the star.
Paul’s contract might play a part in why a handful of other panelists think CP3 will remain in a Thunder uniform next season. Paul is owed more than $41 million in 2020-21 and more than $44 million in 2021-22, which makes him one of the most difficult-to-trade players in the league.
With projected decreases to both the salary cap and luxury tax floor due to the coronavirus and relations with China, teams may be unwilling to take on more than $80 million total over the next two years for a guard who will turn 36 during next season.
But Paul showed he’s still one of the best point guards in the game and can add plenty of value to a team trying to make the playoffs and perhaps even more.
