The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the best stories of the 2019-20 season. Despite trading superstars Russell Westbrook and Paul George in the same offseason, OKC was able to compete in the tough West and was in fifth place in the conference standings before the campaign was suspended due to COVID-19.

The Thunder had the same record as the Houston Rockets, an impressive feat since Houston traded Chris Paul to the Thunder for Westbrook.

Paul had something to prove with the Thunder, especially since the Rockets traded him just a year after signing the Point God to a lucrative extension. CP3 made the All-Star team this 2019-20 season for the first time since 2016 after averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

He and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the key player the Thunder acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the George trade, led OKC to a 40-24 mark before the season was put to a halt.

However, while Paul was excellent for the Thunder in 2019-20, OKC should still look to trade the Hall of Famer whenever the 2020 offseason starts. CP3 still has value around the league, so it's the perfect time to get rid of his humongous contract. Not to mention that Paul is 35-years-old and has a lot of mileage on his body.

In 2020-21, Paul is owed $41.4 million. The NBPA president has a player option worth $44.3 million for the 2021-22 campaign and there's no way Paul is going to decline that. He's still one of the best point guards in the NBA, so there will be some contenders out there with interest in acquiring the veteran playmaker from the Thunder if the trade package makes sense.

Article Continues Below
More Thunder News
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hugs Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti after their team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center with Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault in the background
Mark Daigneault says Sam Presti relationship influenced Thunder successJosue Pavon ·
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault celebrates with his team after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five to win the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center
Mark Daigneault reveals Thunder’s no-expectation ‘process’ before NBA FinalsJosue Pavon ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) in the fourth quarter during game one of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander earns major endorsement from ex-teammateAlex House ·
Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35), center Kendrick Perkins (5) and guard Reggie Jackson (15) talk against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center
Kendrick Perkins dishes on why 2025 Thunder is best in franchise historyJosue Pavon ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with Magic Johnson West Conference Finals MVP trophy after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five to win the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Nick Wright’s ‘all-time’ take will catch Thunder’s fans’ attentionMalik Brown ·
Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) hugs Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) after a game at the Chase Center
Warriors’ Draymond Green relives Klay Thompson’s epic Game 6 vs. ThunderJosue Pavon ·

The Miami Heat have been linked to Paul in the past, as have the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who got quite the haul from the Clippers for George, seems like the perfect guy to negotiate a CP3 trade.

New Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose and Paul have a prior relationship because of CAA and the Knicks are desperate for any type of star talent to play in MSG 41 times a year, even if it is an aging Chris Paul.

With that being said, maybe the Thunder and Knicks can work out a deal for CP3.

The longer OKC waits to trade Paul, the lower his value will decrease around the NBA since he's getting older and has an injury history.