Phoenix Suns: Grading the Chris Paul blockbuster trade
Who won the blockbuster trade between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder?
We officially have our first major trade of the 2020 offseason and what wild one it was. Rumors circulating around about the Phoenix Suns eyeing Chris Paul happened to be true. The 10-time all-star joins Devon Booker and crew in hopes of catapulting themselves into the Western Conference playoff picture.
The Oklahoma City Thunder gets a return of intriguing pieces and has officially started the impending rebuild that was to come. Here are the grades I gave for each team in this trade.
Phoenix Suns: B+
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This move shows that Phoenix is all-in for making the playoffs next season and trying their best to keep superstar Devin Booker happy in the current situation. Chris Paul in the short-term gives them an All-star level player that is one of(if not) the best playmakers in the league. This young core needed a veteran presence by the likes of Chris Paul that can also play at a very high level.
Paul made the All-Star team last season while averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. One stat I was shocked to see was that his 6.7 assists from last season were a career-low for Paul. That could be concerning but I have no doubt those numbers will smooth out as he leads the helm for this young Suns team.
The concerning part of this trade and the reason I didn’t give it a higher grade is really how much better does this make Phoenix in the grand scheme of things? Yes, it puts them into the playoff conversation immediately but where do they gauge against the elite teams in the West? I could see the Suns winning a first-round and possibly a second-round series if some cards fall right.
Also, Paul’s contract is worrisome as well. Chris Paul is under contract for this season for roughly $41 million dollars and has a player option for next season worth $44 million. Will the Suns be able to squeeze two more quality seasons out of the 35-year-old?
Oklahoma City Thunder: B
The rebuild is in full effect in Oklahoma City. Yesterday they agreed to ship Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers for Danny Green and a pick. Today they move their All-Star point guard and receive some intriguing players and yet another first-round pick.
The Thunder received Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, and Jalen Lecque. The Thunder gets two young prospects in Jerome and Lecque and Rubio and Oubre can be solid role players moving forward. The Thunder also shouldn’t have a problem in moving either of these players for assets in the future.
This trade also opens up cap flexibility for the Thunder next summer with a stellar class potentially waiting. The Thunder gets out of the Chris Paul contract, start their rebuild, and give themselves flexibility in this trade.
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Overall grade: B
Both teams, in my opinion, are winners in this trade and move toward the goals they have for the upcoming year and future.