The NBA free agency period is officially underway, with teams now allowed to announce trades and moves – and there is a big one to kick off proceedings, with sources suggesting that All-Star guard Chris Paul has been traded to the Phoenix Suns.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported this morning that the trade sees Paul and Abdel Nader head to Phoenix, with OKC receiving Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a first round-pick in next year’s draft.
It is a big move for Phoenix. Devin Booker has long been searching for a right hand man, and he now has that piece. With a core of Booker, Paul, and the ever improving DeAndre Ayton – The Suns have gone from Western Conference cellar dwellers to legitimate conference contenders in the space of three seasons.
There is a level of serendipity with the move, too, as Paul re-unites with head coach Monty Williams (who coached him for one season in New Orleans nearly a decade ago).
Paul has spoken highly of Williams’ coaching ability previously, saying he ‘used to get so excited before games’ about the various schemes and plays he was coming up with.