The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly aren’t expected to pursue a Chris Paul trade this offseason and that goes without factoring in Oklahoma City Thunder’s asking price.
We certainly haven’t been short on speculation between the Milwaukee Bucks and future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul.
Since the end of the Bucks’ 2019-20 season down in the bubble, the two parties have been consistently linked to one another, though that speculation has steadily trailed off as the weeks have gone on. The fact that those within the Bucks organization have relayed through The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Eric Nehm ($$) that they don’t have plans to pursue a move for Paul has been a significant reason why in that regard.
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While Paul’s bond with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has recently come to light, most of the focus has shined on the Bucks’ unwillingness to make an all-in move for the 35-year-old.
Yet not enough has come from Oklahoma City’s perspective, which has been as guarded as it has ever been under general manager Sam Presti.
After all, the Thunder hold some of the cards in this situation with Paul under contract for the next two seasons for a combined $85 million and after he rehabilitated his value enough to where he’s enticing and biggest name on the trade market this offseason.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks ($$) recently wrote in his outlook on the offseason, the value for Paul around the league is high enough to the point where Oklahoma City may reasonably get a young piece and/or draft compensation in return for the veteran guard.
Paul’s resurgence and ability to fend off injury are the sources for why Oklahoma City still remain in the driver’s seat and holds the keys to this year’s trade market with Paul.
As if it wasn’t already hard to build a package to match Paul’s salary, the Milwaukee Bucks have very little that would catch the Thunder’s interest for a potential deal.
The underlying problem facing the Bucks and their long-term future is the lack of an internal core and a depleting pile of draft assets. Yes, the Bucks have the 24th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft as well as a nice young piece in guard Donte DiVincenzo, but that’s all they have to show right now before a cold reality check sets in.
Case in point, the Bucks’ 2021 first round pick is they last one in their possession until the 2025 NBA Draft. Their first round picks from 2022 to 2024 is currently tied up with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a result of the George Hill trade made in December of 2018.
Under the criteria of the value Paul could command in a trade and either the young or draft assets the Thunder would desire in return for shipping out Paul, the Bucks don’t even come close to entering the conversation for building up a trade package. Not when trying to offload Eric Bledsoe and the $38.9 million he’s guaranteed over the next three seasons at minimum is likely the biggest piece the Bucks are willing to part with this offseason while eating into their depth with the expiring contracts on their books.
Again, the path for a Paul deal was already hard for the Bucks to orchestrate, given the hardships of trying to absorb Paul’s exorbitant salary for the next two seasons. The lack of motivation from the Bucks’ perspective made it that much more of a long shot.
While any and all speculation between the Bucks and Paul won’t quiet completely, this latest development only reinforces just how incredibly unlikely it is to envision seeing Paul in a Bucks uniform next season.