Houston was able to win over Oklahoma City in a move which delivered the Rockets Russell Westbrook and sent Chris Paul to the Thunder. But the Miami Heat the were initially viewed as the favorite to land the 2017 MVP.
Now Miami appears to be interested in a trade for Paul, who is set to make $38.5 million in 2019-20, like Westbrook, and is under contract through 2021-22, when he’ll make $44.2 million. However, the Heat’s approach to Paul appears to be different from that of Westbrook. Although they play the same position, they’re clearly different players. More importantly, Westbrook turns 34 at the end of his current contract — which expires in 2022-23. Paul is 34 right now.
So its no surprise Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting the Heat are handling these trade talks with the Thunder a little differently:
Like the Rockets, Miami is in a difficult situation with regards to their salary cap. In the Heat’s case, they have a hard cap after completing a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Jimmy Butler.
