Is OKC Looking To Unload Chris Paul After SGA Shows Star Potential?

We’re barely weeks after the opening tip of the current NBA season and the Oklahoma City may have found a gem following the departure of their team’s all-star guard Russell Westbrook and forward Paul George.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one block in their 115-104 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. The second-year guard currently leads his team in points (21.8) and minutes played (35mpg).

With his stellar performance as of late, Chris Paul’s homecoming might be cut short as OKC is looking to move the 34-year old guard, according to Mark Medina of USA Today during a Reddit Q&A show with Jeff Zillgitt.

“The Thunder would love to trade Chris Paul before the trade deadline so they can hoard even more young talent and draft picks”, Medina replied to a question regarding a potential move by the Thunder before the deadline. He also added that it might also not happen given that the 14-year veteran is not getting any younger, his contract and history of injuries are driving away teams from making a deal with them.

“So for now, the Thunder has embraced leaning on Paul to keep the team competitive and mentor Shai-Gilgeous Alexander”, he added.

Shipped to the Thunder with Danilo Gallinari and numerous draft picks as part of the Paul George deal to the Los Angeles Clippers, the second-year guard is also norming second-bests 7.2 rebounds and one block per game and third-best 3.3 assists. In their victory at home against the Pelicans, he played team-high 36 minutes.

Paul is the team’s assists leader with 4.5 dimes per game and in steals with 1.5 per outing. In their recent victory, he played 29 minutes and had 15 points, one rebound, nine dimes and three steals to give OKC their second win in six outings.