In March, Frank Isle of ESPN reported that the New York Knicks could run into the future Hall of Famer Chris Paul this offseason.
For the team with the worst league wins in the past 20 years, such a move would make sense, even if it seems a little desperate.
Chris Paul is 35 years old and has a contract until 2021-22 with an average of $ 42.8 million per year. Plus, it doesn’t have the cleanest story when it comes to injury.
But CP3 showed in 2019-2020 that there is still a lot left in the tank. He averaged 20.4 points, 7.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds for 75 possessions with a real throw percentage of 61.0. He is 15th in the box plus / minus standings, and the Oklahoma City Thunder has canceled expectations for the preseason largely because of him.
It would immediately bring a level of floor competence that the Knicks probably haven’t had since 2012-13. If they can get it without giving up on their most promising young player, Mitchell Robinson, they probably should.
At first glance – five players and one choice – it may seem like a lot, but Wayne Ellington and Bobby Portis are primarily for payroll purposes. The remaining youths may have multiple potential flaws (although there are still varying levels of intrigue with each).
The choice of 2023 comes from the Kristaps Porzingis trade. So with Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks, the selection numbers will be mediocre at best.
But if OKC can get a hint of young talent and any choice for Paul and his big contract, it may be necessary to think about it. Before the season, the idea that Thunder would have to attack sweeteners to unload Paul ‘s business was fairly common.
New York is one of the few teams that could possibly justify a separate choice for CP3.