Report: Chris Paul likely to start season with Thunder
Chris Paul’s contract will likely ensure that he starts the season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Wednesday’s edition of The Jump that there is little momentum towards a trade right now, and Paul is likely to open the regular season with Oklahoma City.
"This is an negotiation for the Thunder. But it's a reality: He'll probably start the season with the Thunder" – @WindhorstESPN#NBATwitter #TheJump #ThunderUp https://t.co/UhaiYW2Vdq
— NBA The Jump Fanpage (@NBATheJumpFP) July 17, 2019
"There's not a lot of momentum towards a trade right now" – @WindhorstESPN #NBATwitter #TheJump #ThunderUp
— NBA The Jump Fanpage (@NBATheJumpFP) July 17, 2019
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski essentially said the same thing on Twitter, adding that both Paul and the Thunder believe a year together could prove beneficial.
Story filed to ESPN: Oklahoma City’s discussions to move nine-time All-Star guard Chris Paul onto a new destination are parked and an increasing expectation exists that he will start the season with the Thunder.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 17, 2019
OKC has been working with Paul and his representatives on finding a trade, but nothing is materializing so deep into summer free agency, sources said. Both sides believe there are benefits to Paul, 34, playing out the year with the Thunder. https://t.co/LjHCdLPZVg
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 17, 2019
Things have been trending this way for a while. As it stands, Paul’s remaining contract is not of interest to any teams, and the Thunder simply aren’t going to kick in a draft pick to get rid of him. It may not be anyone’s ideal scenario, but it’s simply the way things are going to be for a while.