Heat not ‘actively pursuing’ deal for Thunder guard Chris Paul

The Heat don’t seem to be close to adding Chris Paul.

Miami is not actively pursuing a deal with the Thunder for the 34-year-old guard, according to a report from the Miami Herald. Oklahoma City has not offered the Heat anything “enticing enough to seriously interest” them in a trade, the report says.

OKC, to this point, has offered nothing enticing enough to seriously interest Heat in Chris Paul talks. Heat won't close door if that changes, but this is OKC trying to move Paul, not Heat actively pursuing player

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 13, 2019

Oklahoma City acquired Paul, along with two first-round selections and two pick swaps, from the Rockets last week in exchange for Russell Westbrook.

"We're excited to have Russell Westbrook," Houston owner Tilman Fertitta told Fox 26 last week. "I would watch him play for Oklahoma City, and he's so athletic. At the same time this franchise just had the two years with the most wins it's ever had in consecutive years, and we wouldn't have accomplished that without Chris Paul.

"I said at the end of the year we're never going to stand pat. We're always going to try to get better. I think this makes us a better team. I hate to lose Chris Paul, but we felt like we did what we had to do to become a better team.”

Paul, a nine-time All-Star, struggled with injuries and had a down season in 2018-19, but he’s still a valuable floor leader and scorer, despite his massive contract (three years, $124.1 million).

The Thunder completed the deal with the Rockets hoping Paul would be a part of their team in 2019-20, according to an earlier report from The Athletic. Oklahoma City, however, is reportedly open to moving him again.

For those wondering, source tells @TheAthletic that OKC does this deal with full anticipation that Chris Paul will be part of a good team that now has a treasure trove of future assets. Gallinari, SGA, Adams, Roberson, Noel core, and EIGHT new 1st rounders, as @Travonne noted.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 12, 2019

The Thunder are expected to enter a major rebuild after moving Westbrook, Paul George and Jerami Grant this month.