NBA Trade Rumors: Chris Paul Staying with the Thunder?
NBA trade rumors have become the center of basketball news lately. Players who signed as free agents in the summer are now eligible to be traded. The rumor mills are already heating up. A few notable players around the league are in different discussions. Teams are gearing up for a playoff push or a retooling process. The NBA Trade Deadline is set for February 6, 2020.
Is Chris Paul staying with the Thunder?
After the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired point guard Chris Paul, some believed he will be traded to a contending team at some point. Rumors suggested the Miami Heat had an interest in Paul to pair him with Jimmy Butler. However, trading Paul before the deadline seems to be unlikely.
Chris Paul trade rumors: ‘No belief’ that the Thunder will trade their All-Star point guard this seasonhttps://t.co/fFtNq0XaGB
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) December 16, 2019
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, there is “no belief” Paul will be traded yet. He cited Paul’s massive contract as the reason. Many teams do not want to take on such a large deal in the middle of the season. For now, it seems like Paul will play the full season in Oklahoma City.
Are the Minnesota Timberwolves shopping Jeff Teague?
The Minnesota Timberwolves would reportedly like an upgrade at point guard, per @wojespn.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 16, 2019
Timberwolves’ point guard Jeff Teague’s name has come up in trade rumors recently. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins leading the way, the Timberwolves could be going for a youth movement. Also, Teague’s contract is expiring and he will most likely move on. The Timberwolves do not want to leave empty-handed, especially with Teague playing great recently. Since Paul’s contract seems to be a problem, Teague could be another option.
The Kevin Love Market
The biggest name in this year’s trade talks is Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward, Kevin Love. He and the Cavaliers are at an impasse with each other despite Love signing a large deal. Love stated he prefers to be traded to the Portland Trailblazers.
Kevin Love would prefer to get traded to the Blazers, per @KevinOConnorNBA pic.twitter.com/rSXI4aOgos
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 10, 2019
In addition to the Blazers, other teams are reportedly interested in landing him. The Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and the Phoenix Suns are the other teams who could be gearing up for Love. According to Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers would like a first-round pick and an expiring contract in return.
The Warriors to Keep D’Angelo Russell for Now
Recently, rumors circulated about the Golden State Warriors possibly trading guard, D’Angelo Russell. Russell could be the odd man out when the team is fully healthy again. But for now, the Warriors are not calling anyone about a trade.
The Warriors reportedly will not be calling any teams to discuss a D’Angelo Russell trade before the Feb. 6 deadline 👀 https://t.co/4XiMKHTEzP pic.twitter.com/lc90ZqgXqX
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 16, 2019
The Warriors still are high on Russell. He is a valuable piece on a decimated team. The Warriors are not rushing to make changes. They have an interesting future. Their two all-stars, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be healthy at some point and they could land the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. Russell’s position on the team hinges on how the rest of the season will unfold.