With the Thunder for a year, Chris Paul could already leave for the upcoming offseason, while his franchise is being rebuilt. Nevertheless, the leader should have the right to a big privilege for his future. This is not the case for all.
Fired from the Rockets for his incompatibility with James Harden, Chris Paul could have collapsed on the side of the Thunder, a team in full reconstruction. The former Clippers is no longer really in his prime, but he still has good years left, enough to claim a first ring in his career. Unfortunately for him, this is unlikely to happen at the Thunder.
And yet, CP3 has fully assumed its status in Oklahoma by guiding youngsters, like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and performing well on the courts. He managed to take this team to the playoffs, before falling to Houston 3-4. Only here, nothing has really changed between the franchise and the player.
OKC still wants to get rid of big contracts and start a full rebuild. You just need to find a few trading partners, and the process will be underway. This includes Paul, who should probably play in a new jersey for 2021, and even if he has no say, the leaders have decided to give him a nice privilege …
Indeed, it is Ryan Russillo fromESPN which tells us more about CP3. According to him, his next house will not be chosen at random:
I’ve been taught that the Thunder isn’t going to send Chris Paul to a really bad place. He will have his say.
We better understand the preference of Chris Paul, who would already have a very big desire for his next destination. The leader cannot completely choose his future franchise, not having a right of veto, but the Thunder will respect his request to the maximum. It’s classy, especially after a year of partnership.
But as we told you, Paul has brought a lot to this team in just a few months. He remained professional, despite the context. The front office therefore decides to return the favor, it now remains to know its future franchise.
Barring a miracle, Chris Paul will be far from the Thunder in 2021, but he should land somewhere more conducive to his talents. To the Lakers? No option should be ruled out.
