The Miami Heat were actively trying to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder before the former MVP was shipped to the Houston Rockets. The same can't be said about the Heat's interest in Chris Paul.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the level of enthusiasm for Paul inside the Heat organization has been far below the level of enthusiasm for Westbrook before Russ was traded to the Rockets.

So essentially, Miami is slightly interested in acquiring Paul from the Thunder, but isn't diligently pursuing a trade to land the nine-time All-Star.

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Chris Paul has three years left on his contract. He’ll make $38.5 million next season, $41 million in 2020-21 and has a player option worth $44 million for the 2021-22 season. The Heat would be foolish to take on that contract while also giving up future draft picks. At this point, Miami's current starting point guard — Goran Dragic — will give you similar numbers as Paul at a cheaper price tag.

The Heat wanted to pair Russell Westbrook with Jimmy Butler. The duo would have given Miami a chance to compete in the Eastern Conference. Paul, however, doesn't move the needle for the Heat. He's not the same player he once was and has been deemed a locker room issue in Los Angeles and Houston.