(12-19-2019, 10:24 AM)omahen Wrote: ven if Minny would want Paul, they don't need Dallas to pull the deal as they have plenty expiring contracts themselves. They don't need anyone for salary relief.
Follow the money.
A young player (Culver) plus Dieng and Covington (for salary matching) would be in the deal. OKC would also require at least a first ...plus probably another first for taking on Dieng's extra year. They certainly aren't trading Chris Paul and taking on Dieng without draft compensation for both.
So, would the Wolves add two firsts for Paul? Not likely. A first and a second in the fifties? Sure, but would OKC do that? Not likely.
Realistically, there needs to be a third team involved who will take on Dieng or Covington and add something of value to the deal to compensate OKC. Dieng is a negative asset, so not helpful to the deal. Covington does have value though.
What is Covington's value? I'd argue he's worth an expiring and a first. So, could the Thunder find a third team to take on Covington, in exchange for something better than an expiring and GSW second from Dallas? Maybe. Probably. Who knows? What about two seconds from Dallas? Obviously all of this is exceedingly unlikely, which is why Paul's market is quiet. Finding fair value for both parties in a Paul trade is pretty tough.