Oklahoma City Thunder
What if the Sixers swing for the fences?
Most Chris Paul hypotheticals involve a package of Horford, Josh Richardson, and filler. The Thunder, on the verge of a seemingly inevitable rebuild, could look to move Paul this offseason. Even push for it. But all indications are that OKC will stand firm on its price. When you have a million first-round picks over the next decade, a full-on rebuild isn’t really a requirement.
The Thunder were a competitive No. 5 seed last season and are probably content to stay there if teams don’t bring serious offers to the table. While CP3’s trade value may never get higher than it currently is, the Thunder still have the high ground. Contenders will need to pry him loose.
In fact, most “contenders” probably have better trade packages than Philadelphia. Horford’s contract isn’t exactly catnip for a flexible and talent-laden team on the verge of a rebuild, while teams like Milwaukee could match salaries with much more compelling and useful talent. OKC could flip, say, Eric Bledsoe for even more draft capital. Horford is basically dead money for two more seasons.
It’s not entirely impossible for Chris Paul to end up in Philadelphia. Throw Matisse Thybulle and the No. 21 pick into the mix, and OKC may just bite. But to call the Sixers favorites would imply that Milwaukee, New York, and other teams, frankly, just aren’t very interested.