Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul believes the 2019-20 NBA season is starting at the perfect time since the China controversy has dominated headlines the past few weeks.

After Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey voiced support on Twitter for pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the NBA’s relationship with China is as tense as its ever been.

With the season starting on Tuesday, the focus can finally go back to the court. Paul and the Thunder open their season on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.

There has been talk that players could potentially lose salary and endorsements deals as a result of a decline in revenue from China. Paul, who is the NBA players' union president, was a big part of the negotiation of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement back in 2011, so he would definitely have a voice if players' salaries and endorsements deals did in fact decline.

Paul has three years left on his monster contract with the Thunder. He’ll make $38.5 million this season, $41.4 million in 2020-21 and has a player option worth $44.2 million for the 2021-22 season.

Last season with the Rockets, Paul averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 58 games. The nine-time All-Star shot 41.9 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line.