Conflicting reports on the dynamics between Chris Paul and James Harden surfaced on Tuesday, with one report describing their relationship as “unsalvagable,” while GM Daryl Morey declared that everything is fine in Houston.
Regardless on exactly where things stand, the Rockets may be stuck with the pairing for the foreseeable future. There’s “not a team in the league” that’s eager to trade for Paul, Shams Charania of The Athletic said on a recent radio appearance (h/t E.Jay Zarett of Sporting News). The veteran point guard will make approximately $38.5MM next season, $41.4MM in 2020/21, and just over $44.2MM on a 2021/22 player option.
“Even some teams that they’ve called, I’m told, as just a [salary] dump, like, ‘We’ll give you Chris Paul for free,’ those teams are like ‘We’re good,'” Charania said (video link). “So the value just is not there right now.”
The Knicks are apparently one team that has passed on the idea of taking on Paul, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, who reports that the Rockets recently explored the idea of trading CP3 into New York’s cap space. The Knicks rebuffed that offer, per O’Connor.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Before the Pelicans agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers, the Knicks “made overtures” for Davis to join them as a free agent in 2020, a league source tells Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. New Orleans wasn’t believed to be fond of the Knicks’ assets, and New York recognized the futility of trying to acquire AD via trade, Beck notes.
- In a follow-up tweet, Beck wonders if the Knicks’ efforts imply that they don’t expect to land two stars in free agency this summer — the team almost certainly wouldn’t have cap room for Davis in 2020 if two free agents sign max deals this summer.
- Marc Berman of The New York Post, who has previously reported that the Knicks are expected to explore trading Frank Ntilikina for a draft pick, reiterates that the club is “extremely open” to such a deal. New York is still hoping to land a late first-round pick or an early second-rounder for Ntilikina, says Berman.
Chris Crouse contributed to this post.
You know it is an albatross of a contract when it is turned down by the New York Knicks.
My guess is that they’ll be more interested if they strike out in July. It’s going to be a) pay cp3 too much, b) pay some second tier guys too much, or c) do nothing and try to build on last year.
I think we know the Knicks aren’t smart enough to do c.
As a long-suffering Knicks’ fan, I’ll be very happy with “(c).” Even signing KD would be a dumb move at this point. So, I don’t view us not signing a Tier 1 free agent as “striking out” (I don’t know if you meant that pejoratively). I see that as #winning. Hopefully, we can target a RFA who’s an “odd man out” from another franchise. Just make small/smart moves for now and, above all else, do no damage.
Signing Kevin Durant would not be dumb. Come on now
Ya striking out was meant like the Knicks would see it, not as it is. :)
C- the plan is C. No Durant. Build from within and move on.
I’ll believe it when I C it.
They’d never be interested in Paul seeing as how that’s either the worst contract in the NBA or the second-worst (behind John Wall). Unless the Rockets are ready to send the Knicks multiple draft picks the Knicks wouldn’t benefit in any way from bringing in Chris Paul.
Never? Do you know who owns the Knicks?! ;)
This
How is Frank worth a 1st round pick lol
Late first. Guy is already an excellent defender at his position.
PGs need time to develop. A team that’s good at development and sitting on an extra pick might be interested.
He was the 7th overall pick, correct? His annual salary in year 3 and year 4 will be $6 million then over $8 million dollars.
I think his contract, rawness, and lack of offensive abilities makes him NOT worth a late first round pick that might be better than Frank Day 1 and cheaper for more years.
Personally, if I were to take on Frank, I would want to swap picks future picks or second round picks to make up that difference.
That’s why it’s crazy to trade Frank now. 2nd round pick? FOH. We haven’t developed Frank at all. Fizdale giving Mudiay and Burke all those minutes was a complete waste of time. It was actually “senseless.” Then Frank got hurt and missed a whole bunch of games. Frank won’t come into his own until maybe the second half of this season or next.
In any event, Berman has been pushing this story for a while and nothing’s happened. Besides, we need players. LOL
I wanted French Prince in the G-league from the start so he could develop
Frank Fredrick what the French is the difference?
Hou – Whiteside Dragic and J Johnson
Mia – CP3 and Capela
I think benefits both teams.
Even Harden would oppose that deal.
You must be a Heat fan. Not even close bub.