NBA Rumors: Heat Expected To ‘Pop Up Again’ As Potential Trade Destination For Chris Paul In 2020 Offseason
When the Houston Rockets made him available on the trading block last summer, the Miami Heat were among the NBA teams who expressed strong interest in adding veteran point guard Chris Paul to its roster. During that time, the Heat were highly aggressive on the trade market, searching for a second superstar that would help Jimmy Butler carry the team in the 2019-20 season. Though it failed to secure a deal with the Rockets in the 2019 offseason, the Heat will once again have the opportunity to chase CP3 this fall.
Despite helping the team remain competitive in the post-Russell Westbrook era, most people believe that Paul’s departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder is inevitable. Paul may be putting on an impressive performance in his first season in Oklahoma City, but with the Thunder expected to undergo a rebuilding process he’s obviously an odd fit on the roster. Once Paul officially becomes available on the trading block in the 2020 offseason, Danny Cunningham of Complex thinks that the Heat will “pop up again” as one of the top trade destinations for the 35-year-old superstar.
“As far as destinations, Miami is going to be a team that keeps popping up every time a star player becomes available. There were rumors about the Heat being a potential landing spot for Paul once he was dealt to OKC last summer, and it would make sense for them to pop up again. The only thing that complicates things in that situation is the desire the Heat have to keep a maximum salary slot open next offseason, when Giannis Antetokounmpo and a group of others can become free agents.”
If the Heat want to boost its chances of fully dominating the Eastern Conference and winning the NBA championship in the 2020-21 season, trading for Paul makes a lot of sense. CP3 may no longer be in his prime, but he would still be an incredible addition to the roster, giving Butler an All-Star caliber running mate who is hungry to win an NBA title. At 35, Paul remains a very reliable contributor on both ends of the floor.
This season, he’s averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from beyond the arc, per ESPN. Paul hasn’t shown any indication that he’s not happy with the Thunder, but at this point in his NBA career he is undeniably better off playing for a team that could give him a realistic chance of winning his first championship.
