Oklahoma City Thunder

Steven Adams couldn't control his excitement after hitting the game-winning free throw in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 109-106 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena (NSFW language):

The 26-year-old Thunder center's free throw gave Oklahoma City a 107-106 lead with 4.3 seconds remaining in regulation. Adams, a 51.5 percent shooter from the line this season, missed his second free throw but luckily didn't end up needing it.

Adams finished with nine points, 11 rebounds, one assist and one block in the game.

Oklahoma City trailed by as many as 26 points against the Bulls, which made this the franchise's largest comeback home victory in history. Chris Paul spearheaded the effort with 19 fourth-quarter points:

The 12-14 Thunder have now won four of their last six on their quest to hit .500 or better for the first time all year.

The Bulls may have thought fouling Adams was the safest bet, but instead of paying off, they dropped to 10-19.

There was plenty of speculation about the Oklahoma City Thunder flipping Chris Paul after acquiring him from the Houston Rockets, but it now seems as though he will be there for the rest of the season.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday on Woj & Lowe: Trade Season Special that there is "no belief" the Thunder will trade Paul this season.

The veteran is owed $38.5 million for the 2019-20 season with over $85 million owed over the next two years.

The contract helped complete the trade with Russell Westbrook, giving the Rockets another superstar alongside James Harden. It was also presumably to help the Thunder rebuild after losing Westbrook and Paul George.

However, Oklahoma City has fought hard this season and remains competitive at 11-14, which was enough to stay in playoff contention entering Sunday.

Paul has performed well individually as well, averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 assists per game while again playing strong defense on the perimeter. Though the nine-time All-Star has seen his production drop since his prime, he remains a key part of the roster.

The 34-year-old could also be a valuable presence in the locker room for young players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Meanwhile, a contending team could probably use Paul on the court but might not want to pay his salary this year or going forward. This will likely stop any deal from becoming a reality before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

There is a "league-wide sense" that Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul's "enormous contract" could prevent the team from finding a trade partner during the 2019-20 season, according to NBC Sports' Tom Haberstroh.

Paul is owed $79.7 million over the next two seasons and holds a $44.2 million player option for 2021-22.

Oklahoma City acquired Paul along with a pair of first-round picks and pick swaps from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook in July. The deal came after the Thunder had sparked a rebuild by moving Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a haul of future draft picks.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported at the time of the trade Paul's agent would meet with OKC general manager Sam Presti to discuss the veteran point guard's future. 

In September, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Miami Heat had a "level of interest" in Paul, a feeling that was reciprocated by the nine-time All-Star. Oklahoma City and Miami were not able to reach an agreement on a deal, though.

As a result, Paul started the season in OKC.

The 34-year-old Paul is averaging 15.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting, including 35.9 percent from three-point range, and has added 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Though the Thunder were not expected to contend this season, they are tied for the seventh seed in the Western Conference at 11-13.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported that the Thunder's relatively good start will not affect the team's plans, and it will shop the likes of Paul, Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported in July OKC may try to attach a draft pick to Paul in order to entice a team.

The 2020 NBA trade deadline falls on Feb. 6.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly making several of their veteran players, including guard Chris Paul, forward Danilo Gallinari and center Steven Adams, "available" ahead of the 2020 NBA trade deadline in February. 

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported Tuesday that OKC's modest 11-12 record, which currently ranks seventh in the Western Conference, hasn't altered the front office's focus on the future and it's willing to take on "big salaries" in order to improve the return assets as part of dealing its vets.

Paul was acquired from the Houston Rockets in July as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Russell Westbrook to H-Town for a reunion with James Harden.

He's one of the league's most decorated point guards with a resume that features nine All-Star appearances, four All-NBA First Team selections and seven NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.

Paul has averaged 16 points, 5.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds across 23 appearances for OKC. The assist total is on pace to set a career-low as he's split ball-handling duties with Dennis Schroder, but he's one of the NBA's top distributors with a career average of 9.6 assists.

The 34-year-old Wake Forest product told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated last week he was "shocked" by his trade to the Thunder, and he's unsure what will happen next.

"I try to control what I can control," Paul said. "And for me, that is preparing to play every night. Doing my workout. Doing my training. Hooping."

His on-court ability would provide a boost to just about any contender, but his fiery, ultra-competitive attitude might not be the best fit for every title hopeful team.

Gallinari could generate interest from the Portland Trail Blazers, who are seeking frontcourt and wing depth alongside the star backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum following a series of injuries, per O'Connor.

The 31-year-old Italian has transitioned from small forward to the role of stretch 4 since joining the Thunder in the July trade that allowed Paul George to join Kawhi Leonard with the Los Angeles Clippers. He's excelled, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 40.3 percent on threes in 22 games.

Adams has quietly put together a terrific career in Oklahoma City. He doesn't need to touch the ball consistently on offense (9.7 career PPG) to make an impact as he's once again illustrated this season by averaging 9.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 61.7 percent from the field.

It will probably fly under the radar if he's dealt at the deadline, especially if the Thunder also move Paul and Gallinari, but he could make the biggest impact of the trio in the right situation with a contender.

Ian Begley from SNY joins “The Full 48 with Howard Beck” to discuss David Fizdale and the New York Knicks!

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Friday they have suspended guard Deonte Burton one game for conduct detrimental to the team.

ESPN's Royce Young reported Burton was in a "locker room altercation" after the Thunder's 107-100 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. He will serve the suspension Friday when OKC hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 25-year-old is in his second NBA season out of Iowa State. He is averaging 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game over 12 contests.

The Thunder have struggled in the post-Russell Westbrook era, going 8-12 (2-7 on the road). However, a playoff spot isn't out of the question with only six Western Conference teams currently over .500.

Friday's game is important to the Thunder, as the Timberwolves sit 10-10 and seventh in the West.

Burton doesn't receive much playing time, but he's seen the court consistently over the past five games. His absence could mean more minutes for backup wing Abdel Nader or extra court time for Terrance Ferguson and/or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Chris Paul was caught off guard by the offseason trade that sent him from the Houston Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In an interview with The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, Paul said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey gave him assurances the deal wouldn't happen.

"My initial reaction?" Paul said. "I was shocked. Truth be told, I just talked to Daryl a couple days before the trade and he said he wasn't going to trade me [to Oklahoma City]. That's funny because that is going to be the alert that pops up on everybody's phone because nobody knows that. But what the hell, I just said it."

Despite being traded to a rebuilding situation in Oklahoma City, Paul is happy because he's "just grateful to be hooping," and he added, "It could be a lot worse."

As for Paul's relationship with James Harden, the nine-time All-Star noted the two "haven't really talked" since the trade, but he wishes him "nothing but the best."

The partnership between Paul and Harden began well, with the duo leading the Rockets to a franchise-record 65 wins in 2017-18. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals in seven games, with Paul missing the final two games due to a hamstring injury. 

After the Rockets' playoff loss to the Warriors last season, there were reports of tension between Paul and Harden during that series. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Houston's superstar pairing had a "verbal exchange" regarding ball distribution during Game 6 against Golden State.

Charania added there had been problems brewing throughout the course of the 2018-19 season, "with members of the team—most notably Paul—having spirited discussions with Mike D'Antoni about the offense and pushing for more movement."

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported in June there was "friction" between Paul and Harden, and Morey was "aggressively" shopping players under contract, including Paul and Clint Capela. 

One possible explanation for Morey assuring Paul a trade wouldn't happen is because Houston's general manager didn't want to deal the 34-year-old. 

The Rockets wanted to make an aggressive push to add Jimmy Butler in free agency, but he ultimately wound up joining the Miami Heat. 

Morey ultimately made the move sending Paul to Oklahoma City, along with two first-round draft picks and two pick swaps, and bringing Russell Westbrook to the Rockets. 

Paul is having a solid season leading a rebuilding Thunder team. He is averaging 15.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 19 games. 

Chris Paul shed some insight into the offseason trade that sent him from the Houston Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Appearing on Kevin Hart's YouTube show Cold as Balls, the nine-time All-Star said NBA teams are "gonna do whatever they wanna do" and will "tell you one thing and do a smooth other thing."

Speaking specifically about the Rockets, Paul said general manager Daryl Morey "don't owe me nothing...he may tell me one thing, but do another thing. But you just understand that that's what it is."

Paul was dealt to Oklahoma City in July as part of a package for Russell Westbrook. The move came one year after the Rockets re-signed Paul for four years and $160 million. 

Morey told The Athletic's Sam Amick that James Harden asked about the possibility of keeping Paul in a deal for Westbrook, but "math of the deal required Chris going out, unfortunately."

Even though the Thunder are off to a slow 4-6 start this season, Paul has been excellent through 10 games. The 34-year-old is averaging 16.1 points and 5.2 assists per contest with a career high 44.4 shooting percentage from three-point range. 

Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams will not play in Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman shared word of Adams' absence, noting Adams missed two games last week with the same injury, a left knee contusion.

The 7'0", 265-pound big man has proved to be fairly durable throughout his career, playing in 70-plus games in each of his first six seasons. While averaging 77.8 games per season, he has made at least 80 in a single season four times, including in three of the past four years.

Adams, 26, is having another solid performance this season, averaging 8.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in 2019-20 in his first campaign without former teammate Russell Westbrook.

Oklahoma City's ability to remain competitive in the Western Conference hinges on the health of Adams and point guard Chris Paul. Losing Adams for an extended period would leave a big hole in the paint for OKC, as he has been a formidable paint presence.

However, the Thunder do have former No. 6 overall pick Nerlens Noel to turn to. The 25-year-old has struggled to see much time on the court in recent seasons, but early on in his career, he was able to give his team 10 points and eight rebounds on a nightly basis.

Steven Adams has been floating around the NBA rumor mill for months as a possible trade candidate, but the Oklahoma City Thunder have been unable to find a suitable deal for the big man. 

According to Heavy.com's Sean Deveney, the Thunder "are seeking a draft pick, a young player and salary relief" in return for the 26-year-old. 

One NBA executive told Deveney that the Thunder's asking price is "too high" for the time being.

"They set the price too high. That’s what you'd expect and maybe it will drop as the year goes on. It's tough to take on his contract (two years, $53 million remaining) and give up picks and players. Most teams are pretty well set at the center spot now, you have a big guy and you have your small lineup. You can't just take on a contract like that. There isn't a big number of teams who could take him."

Deveney also reported that the Sacramento Kings had been considered the "favorite" to pursue and acquire Adams earlier this offseason, while the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics also had interest. However, talks with all parties have gone nowhere. 

Just after the NBA draft in June, Sports 1140 KHTK's Matt George (h/t Thunder Wire) reported that the Kings had inquired about Adams on the night of the draft.

While rumors surrounding Adams' future in OKC continue to swirl, Paul George and Russell Westbrook are long gone. The Thunder traded George to the Los Angeles Clippers and Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in July, signaling a changing of the guard.

Adams and Andre Roberson are the last remaining players from the 2015-16 Thunder team that made it to the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder haven't advanced beyond the first round since.

In any event, Adams seems committed to the Thunder up until he is dealt elsewhere:

Oklahoma City tips off its 2019-20 regular-season campaign on Oct. 23 at Utah, and Adams will likely be taking the floor for the Thunder that night.

Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant does not appear to be bothered by his offseason trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In fact, it appears as though it was a welcomed change.

"I don't think it was too difficult," Grant said on Monday of being traded from OKC to Denver, per Harrison Wind of DNVR. "There were some things going on in Oklahoma and they kind of got rid of a lot of different pieces. For me it was almost good to get out of a sinking ship."

Grant was one of several veterans OKC moved this offseason. He was moved just two days after the Thunder dealt 2018-19 NBA MVP finalist Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers and less than one week before they traded 2016-17 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets.

Trading George, Westbrook and Grant allowed Oklahoma City to stockpile draft picks as it builds for the future. Meanwhile, Grant moves on to a team that finished second in the Western Conference a season ago with 54 victories.

In other words, Grant appears to be in a better position from a basketball standpoint for the upcoming season, thanks to the trade.

Since being acquired in November 2016, Grant's role increased each season during his time in OKC. Last season, he started 77 games while making 80 appearances overall. He averaged career highs in scoring (13.6 PPG), three-point percentage (39.2 percent) and rebounds (5.2 RPG) in 2018-19.

Grant will now have to adjust to a new system and a new role with the Nuggets. He is "extremely excited" for the opportunity to play in Mike Malone's offense, according to the Denver Post's Kyle Fredrickson.

With Paul Millsap set to enter the final year of his contract, the 25-year-old Grant figures to have an opportunity to show he can hold down the 4 spot in Denver for years to come, per ESPN's Zach Lowe:

"I couldn't really ask for a better situation than I'm in right now," Grant said, per Fredrickson.