The Oklahoma City Thunder have shown an openness to work with All-Star point guard Chris Paul on a trade, per ESPN.
The Thunder did the same thing with franchise icon Russell Westbrook and small forward Paul George during the summer of 2019.
OKC could still keep Paul on the roster, but it appears both sides are on good terms and working together to find a solution.
The Thunder and Phoenix Suns have already discussed a CP3 trade.
Talks have been ongoing and continued to gather traction but there is no deal imminent, sources said. There is currently a moratorium on trades as the NBA goes through procedures to start next season ahead of the league's draft next week.
The Thunder have given star players like Paul George and Russell Westbrook input on trade destinations in the past and have shown an openness to work with Chris Paul on a trade now, sources said.
The Thunder lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2020 playoffs in seven games. OKC still needs a head coach, as Billy Donovan left the franchise and is now with the Chicago Bulls.
Paul appeared in 70 games for the Thunder in 2019-20. He averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists while shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Even though OKC made the playoffs in 2019-20, it would make sense for the team to trade Paul to a contender and build around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort.
If Paul does get traded this offseason, look for OKC general manager Sam Presti to move Steven Adams and Dennis Schröder and let Danilo Gallinari walk in free agency.
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