According to the latest rumors surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team is not planning to trade Chris Paul before the trade deadline in February.

To recall, Paul was involved in the trade deal between the Thunder and the Houston Rockets last summer. Paul plus several draft considerations were sent to the Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

Right after the deal was sealed, various reports popped out saying that 34-year-old will not play a single game for the Thunder. After all, the team was about the enter into rebuild mode and Paul — who's at the tail end of his career — didn't want to be in that position. Paul has yet to win a title despite his stellar career and being part of a contending team is the best-case scenario for the nine-time All-Star.

However, what makes it virtually impossible for the Thunder to trade Paul away is the guard's lucrative contract. The veteran is owed $38.5 million for the 2019-20 season with over $85 million owed over the next two years. Paul is still considered one of the best out there at the point guard spot but his contract will create a big dent on any team's cap space. From the looks of it, Paul will be donning the Thunder jersey until a beneficial agreement for both parties is arranged.

For the season, Paul is averaging 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 31.2 minutes. Under his leadership, the Thunder have remained competitive and sport an 11-14 record for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. More than this, he has taken Shai Gilgeous-Alexander under his wing who many believe is the next face of the organization.