The Miami Heat are reportedly still interested in acquiring Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Heat will head into training camp with their current roster but will keep an eye out on Paul as the season progresses.
“The Heat have a level of interest in Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul entering the NBA season, league sources said,” Charania wrote. “Paul had shared a strong mutual interest in ending up in Miami after his trade to the Thunder — but the sides could not agree to a deal and now OKC and Paul are prepared to enter training camp with CP3 in the role of veteran star and leader. Paul has three years and $124 million left on his deal. Miami will likely elect to see how it starts the season before gauging a new pursuit of Paul, which would take several large contracts to match salary.”
Paul, along with a couple of draft picks, was traded this offseason from the Houston Rockets to the Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook. It is widely believed that Oklahoma City will more than likely trade Paul to another team eventually, but it may not happen until during the 2019-20 regular season.
Last July, it was reported that in a potential trade for Paul, the Heat wanted their 2021 and 2023 first-round draft picks back — picks which the Thunder acquired when they traded Paul George to the Clippers. The Heat and Thunder could resume trade discussions when the season begins.
A 14-year veteran, Paul is a nine-time All-Star who averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game last season while playing for the Rockets.
