Trades:Thunder Tank Time
Phoenix Suns receive: Chris Paul. Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre Jr.The Suns tabbed Ricky Rubio as their rebuild accelerator last offseason and saw a decent return on the investment with a jump in winning percentage from .232 to .466. But Chris Paul could be a different kind of fast-forward button.
The Point God might zoom this developmental process to ludicrous speed.
His reputation took a few hits in recent years due to his colossal contract (which still has two years and more than $85 million left on it) and a sometimes awkward fit with the Houston Rockets, but Paul proved he remains a special talent. He propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a jaw-dropping fifth-placed finish in the Western Conference and landed fifth overall in ESPN's real plus-minus.
Rubio showed the Suns what they could achieve with a competent point guard. Paul could change the possibilities as a top-of-the-line floor general. He could take defensive heat away from—and simultaneously raise the efficiency of—Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton and pinpoint the offensive comfort spots of Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.
Even after an 8-0 run through the seeding games in the bubble, Phoenix is at most a mild curiosity in a fully loaded West. Put Paul on the roster, and the Suns could find themselves competing for the right to host a first-round playoff series.
OKC, meanwhile, would gain significant financial relief—Kelly Oubre Jr. has an expiring $14.4 million salary; Ricky Rubio is owed $34.8 million for the next two seasons—and add two players to keep or trade. Oubre in particular could be interesting for the Thunder. He fits their mold of long, athletic wings, and at 24 years old, he's young enough to grow alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort and Darius Bazley.
Adrian Wojnarowski Senior NBA Insider The Los Angeles Lakers are in advanced talks with Oklahoma City on a trade for guard Dennis Schroder, sources tell ESPN. Deal expected to include OKC acquiring LA's pick at No. 28 in Wednesday's draft. Deal can be completed at noon ET on Monday.