Doug Gottlieb: “Chris Paul to Miami? Are there any other possible destinations?”
Sam Amick: “Not that I’m aware of. And to be honest with you, right now I’m leaning pretty hard to the idea that Miami isn’t looking too good. I’m not getting indications that they have a ton of interest. Leon Rose, his agent, has deep relationships with the Heat, and Dwyane Wade for all those years was represented by CAA, the same agency… But, right out the gates I had someone whose voice would definitely matter telling me 'NO GO.'”
NBA Insider and writer for The Athletic, Sam Amick, joined The Doug Gottlieb Show to talk about the uncertain future of former Houston Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul, as the team shockingly sent the 34-year-old to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
Paul, who is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.6 points, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals is still one of the game’s best point guards, but saw his beef with Rockets leading scorer James Harden come to an alarming boil that forced Houston general manager Daryl Morey to find a quick fix.
Some had seen the split-up coming, with rumors of a ‘Me or Him’ stance from the former MVP Harden, but no one could have foreseen the trade partner being the Thunder, who instantly become the league’s saddest doormats with the sudden exits of Paul George and Westbrook.
Many assume there is no way Paul would ever take the court for such a rebuilding Thunder team, although he was once a beloved native son in the city before the team ever even had a franchise.
The Miami Heat seemed like a very viable destination given the retirement of Dwyane Wade, free agent acquisition of Jimmy Butler, and presence of combo guard Goran Dragic, who had already shown he could effectively share a backcourt; successfully doing so with Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas on the 2014 Phoenix Suns.
Check out the audio below as Amick tells Doug Gottlieb he doesn’t believe there’s interest there with the Heat.