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The 2019 NBA offseason is now well underway, and most of the in-demand free agents around the league have already been snatched up. At this point, the remaining pool of available talent is pretty shallow and consists primarily of veterans looking to extend their careers via minimum deals.
However, teams have already started to look towards trades, and a number of major moves could still be in the works. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for July 18th.
Chris Paul likely to remain with the Thunder for the 19-20 season
Chris Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month as part of the blockbuster deal that sent Russell Westbrook to Houston. At 34, Paul doesn't fit in with the Thunder's timeline, and many have speculated that the veteran would be keen to spend his remaining years on a contending team.
However, according to a new report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Paul is set to remain with the Thunder for at least the start of the 19-20 season:
Oklahoma City has been working with Paul and his representatives on finding a trade, but nothing is materializing so deep into summer free agency, sources said. Both sides believe there are benefits to Paul, 34, playing out the year with the Thunder.
Paul previously played in Oklahoma City during the mid-2000s when New Orleans relocated due to Hurricane Katrina. Since his trade to the Thunder, CP3 has been linked with a move to both the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, although his three-year, $124 million contract has proved to be a huge hurdle.
Cameron Payne set to join the Toronto Raptors
After losing both Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, the Toronto Raptors have been on the lookout for new additions. With the summer's top talent already off the market, The Athletic's Shams Charania is reporting that the team is set to add some guard depth by signing Cameron Payne.
Payne was drafted with the 14th overall pick in the 2014 draft, and despite entering the league as an exciting guard, the Murray State Product has yet to make much of an impact.
During spells with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers, Payne has started just 28 times, averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game.
The 24-year-old has also shot less than 40% from the field, although the Raptors will be hoping that Payne can fulfill his untapped potential.
Tacko Fall could make Boston's NBA roster following impressive summer league showing
Tacko Fall wasn't selected in either round of the 2019 NBA Draft, although the 7ft 7in center has impressed during the Summer League. Due to this, many have speculated that Fall could still have a future in the NBA, and General Manager Danny Ainge told WEEI that the Boston Celtics will consider adding Fall to their roster for the upcoming campaign:
He's a high priority for us to try to really develop into a player. I think that Tacko is going to have a chance to make the roster, but we'll see. He's here working out right now, brought him in for a few days. We see some upside there, we're excited about him.
During Summer League, Fall averaged 7.2 points and 1.4 blocks while shooting 77 per cent from the field.
Guess the Lakers players!
