When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets to have Chris Paul and two draft picks, a lot of people assumed that Thunder's new point guard would end up with the Miami Heat. There's a lot of potential to this, but he might not end up with his preferred team next season.
On SportsCenter Monday night, ESPN's Brian Windhorst indicated that Miami and OKC are far from making a solid deal. The Heat reportedly want their first-round picks back, which the Thunder both own, in any Paul trade. Windhorst said that Oklahoma City is ready to send one of those picks to Miami, but in return, they want a future Heat pick.
It seems that OKC is in no rush to trade Paul, whose contract isn't exactly the easiest to move. The Thunder didn't think twice to trade Westbrook after Paul George requested a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Paul reportedly already has a pick. OKC might not make it to the championship for the length of Paul's contract, even if the superstar can play at an All-Star level.
It sure looks difficult for Oklahoma City to find a trading partner that won't cost them its draft picks. The veteran hasn't made an All-Star team or has been in more than 60 games in three years. Last season, Paul averaged a career-low 15.6 points per game. In what will be his 15th NBA season next year, he's owed nearly $40 million.
This summer, Oklahoma City has obtained some gems, including Houston's 2024 and 2026 first-rounders, which happened to be top-four protected. The team also has the right to exchange picks with Houston in 2021 and 2025. Oklahoma City is not in a hurry to give up any of its future picks just so to get off Paul's contract.
OKC and Miami previously had trade talks concerning Westbrook. However, no successful deal came out of it because the Heat wasn't ready to trade some of their budding players for a costly point guard who isn't considerably on the young side.
Westbrook is three and some months younger than Paul, who in the next three seasons will have the same money coming to him. It has been reported before that Miami already has plans in teaming up Jimmy Butler and Westbrook.
Paul reportedly wanted to be in Miami Heat, but it seems the team isn't as enthusiastic as him.
