Although no one is currently safe on the Houston Rockets’ roster, it looks like the team’s general manager, Daryl Morey, is set on moving Chris Paul.
While this might be easier said than done, considering his team-unfriendly three years, $124 million contract, Paul reportedly still has some suitors around the league.
According to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks might get involved in talks with the Rockets about Paul in case that they strike out in a free agency. Lakers and the Knicks are banking that they will attract at least one superstar free agent this summer, but they could easily end with none.
Both franchises could also get into a bidding war with Boston Celtics for New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, which also might not turn out the way they would wish.
Deveney reports that by targeting Chris Paul, who is considered first-ballot Hall of Famer, both teams would aim towards “face-saving trade” that could rescue their summer and get them back to relevancy.
Besides Lakers and the Knicks, there are several other teams that could get involved into trade talks with Rockets over Paul including Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. The Suns are reportedly a “wild-card” as they are still weighing in whether the 34-year-old veteran would fit with their young core.
Paul played 58 regular season games with Houston this season, averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
