New York Knicks are interested in Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul. As OKC embarks on a rebuild, the veteran guard and the organization understand that it would be best if Paul went to play for a contender, while the Thunder acquire resources in return.
So far, several teams have been linked to Paul, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Knicks.
Last week, it was reported that Chris Paul prefers to play in Los Angeles or New York – and the Thunder is an organization that typically listens and works with players to try and send them to a destination they prefer.
This is good news for the Knicks, who are looking for a veteran star like Paul. The veteran point guard would bring a winning mentality to a young Knicks team, but there is a significant problem looming. Wherever Paul lands, it’s not cheap.
Over the next two years, over $ 80 million was owed to Paul. And to bring it in, the Knicks would have had to send more resources. Previously, the price tag was for a young player with a rookie deal along with a first-round pick.
But as Paul’s demand grows, the price is rising, which makes the Knicks slightly more hesitant. According to SNY’s Ian Begley, there is “a concern about the amount of assets New York would have to surrender to exchange for Paul.”
Begley describes some Knicks decision makers as “wary” of giving up too many resources for a 35-year-old guard on an expensive contract. While the Knicks haven’t pulled out of Paul’s lottery yet, they don’t appear to be in business talks with the mentality of spending even a little too much on the All-Star.