New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of trading for Chris Paul

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a foul during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a foul during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 20: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a foul during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Does it make sense for the New York Knicks to trade for Chris Paul?


With the Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach Billy Donovan mutually agreeing to part ways, the hot stove is cooking up rumors about the future of superstar Chris Paul and whether he could find himself traded to the New York Knicks.

NBA writer and ESPN’s resident Thunder expert Royce Young listed the Knicks as one of three teams he could see trading for Paul this offseason, along with Philadelphia and Milwaukee. SNY reported in April that there are people within the Knicks organization who feel the 10-time All Star could help “jump-start” the team’s rebuild. Recently-hired team president Leon Rose used to be Paul’s agent when he worked at CAA.

The Thunder find themselves at a crossroads after managing to remain competitive in the Western Conference despite playing in a small market and losing Kevin Durant in free agency several years ago. With the coronavirus pandemic impacting league revenues, despite their recent success, it appears the organization could be looking to shed salary this offseason.

Danilo Gallinari is set to become a free agent, but they have both Paul and Steven Adams on large contracts that will keep them pushed tightly against the cap unless they create some breathing room.

Paul arrived from Houston last summer in exchange for Russell Westbrook and helped OKC win 44 games and reach the Western Conference playoffs, while averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Knicks have been searching for a point guard since Stephon Marbury had his up-and-down tenure in New York. Could a star player at the tail end of his career be the right man for the job under Rose and Thibodeau?

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of trading for Chris Paul.