The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Norris Cole for the remainder of the season.

Oklahoma City traded away Cameron Payne last week and needed a backup point guard.

Cole went unsigned as a free agent in the offseason after averaging 10.6 points and 3.7 assists for the New Orleans Pelicans in 15-16. Cole signed with the Chinese Basketball Association in October, but departed in December after suffering an injury. Cole received clearance from the CBA in recent days to sign with the Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to send Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow to the Chicago Bulls for Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and a 2018 second round pick.

Gibson will be a free agent in the offseason.

The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder have held trade discussions focused on Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson.

The Bulls have interest in Cameron Payne and Andre Roberson.

Both Roberson and Gibson will be free agents.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are targeting Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls ahead of the deadline.

Gibson will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

The Thunder have been starting Domantas Sabonis at power forward this season.

Oklahoma City are limited in what they can trade in terms of future pick assets.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder continue to pursue Wilson Chandler.

Chandler requested a trade from the Denver Nuggets in early February.

Chandler is signed through 2019, though he has a player option in which he can opt for free agency in 2018.

Chandler is averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.9 minutes per game this season.

Update: Amick later reported the Thunder are no longer interested in Chandler.

Four years before Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder via free agency, James Harden was traded by the team to the Houston Rockets.

Harden has remained close with both Durant and Russell Westbrook, who have had a famously icy rivalry in the months since Durant signed with the Warriors.

“They’re two grown men,” Harden said. “They have to figure it out themselves.”

Durant was asked how he's dealt with potential distractions.

“Sometimes it’s tough,” he said. “But when you just block it out, it’s kind of easy. Don’t look at stuff and don’t pay attention. Stuff that you guys think is important, I don’t think it’s important at all. When you look at it that way, it’s pretty easy to me.”

The Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder both have interest in trading for Wilson Chandler of the Denver Nuggets.

Both the Clippers and Thunder have limited assets to offer though they'd like to be buyers at the deadline.

The Thunder had interest previously in trading for Rudy Gay before his season-ending injury.

Chandler is a versatile veteran player that can play either forward position.

Russell Westbrook was asked a number of questions about Kevin Durant during his media availability on Friday at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.

Westbrook was asked what he thinks will end the constant questions about his relationship with Durant.

"I don't know what you all need," said Westbrook. "I'm in a great place. I'm having fun. Having a great time. I'm happy with my team I have now and looking forward to moving forward."

When Westbrook was asked more questions about Durant and the Golden State Warriors, he began to reply with questions to the reporters about fashion.

Russell Westbrook heads into the All-Star Game with a NBA-leading PER of 29.7, which is the lowest mark since LeBron James in the lockout-shortened 2011. The NBA has had a different leader in PER in each of the past five seasons since James' streak of six straight came to an end with Kevin Durant in 13-14.

Pre-ASG/Post-ASG/Total

16-17: Russell Westbrook: 29.7

15-16: Stephen Curry: 32.0 / 31.5 / 31.0

14-15: Anthony Davis: 31.6 / 28.8 / 30.7

13-14: Kevin Durant: 30.2 / 28.2 / 29.5

12-13: LeBron James: 31.1 / 32.3 / 31.5

11-12: LeBron James: 31.5 / 30.0 / 30.8

10-11: LeBron James: 26.4 / 29.3 / 27.4

09-10: LeBron James: 31.0 / 31.2 / 31.1

08-09: LeBron James: 31.4 / 32.1 / 31.7

07-08: LeBron James: 29.3 / 28.6 / 29.0

06-07: Dwyane Wade: 29.1 / 18.2 / 28.1

05-06: LeBron James: 28.6 / 27.0 / 27.8

04-05: Kevin Garnett: 27.6 / 29.3 / 28.1

03-04: Kevin Garnett: 29.0 / 30.3 / 29.5

02-03: Tracy McGrady: 28.3 / 33.2 / 30.3

01-02: Shaquille O’Neal: 29.1 / 30.1 / 29.6

00-01: Shaquille O’Neal: 27.8 / 33.2 / 30.3

99-00: Shaquille O’Neal: 29.7 / 31.8 / 30.5

98-99: Shaquille O’Neal: 30.5 (no All-Star Game)

97-98: Shaquille O’Neal: 29.3 / 28.3 / 28.6

96-97: Michael Jordan: 29.0 / 25.9 / 27.7

95-96: David Robinson: 28.9 / 30.2 / 29.5

94-95: David Robinson: 28.6 / 29.6 / 29.0

93-94: David Robinson: 29.3 / 32.3 / 30.6

92-93: Michael Jordan: 29.0 / 31.3 / 29.8

91-92: David Robinson: 27.5 / 26.7 / 27.2

90-91: Michael Jordan: 31.2 / 32.0 / 31.5

89-90: Michael Jordan: 29.3 / 33.4 / 31.0

88-89: Michael Jordan: 31.7 / 30.3 / 31.1

87-88: Michael Jordan: 32.4 / 30.9 / 31.7

86-87: Michael Jordan: 27.5 / 32.4 / 29.7

85-86: Magic Johnson: 24.6 / 22.7 / 23.7

LeBron James is the highest-paid player in the NBA in terms of total earnings for the third straight year at $88 million. James has earned more than $600 million since turning pro in 2003. James’ salary this season is $31 million after re-signing with the Cavs this summer for three years and $99.9 million, while he'll make $55 million in off-court earnings.

James added endorsement deals with Intel and Verizon over the last year, while parting ways with Samsung and Tencent. The new partners join Nike, Coca-Cola (Sprite), Beats Electronics and Kia Motor in James’ endorsement stable with James “lifetime” Nike deal potentially worth $1 billion, according to his business manager Maverick Carter.

Kevin Durant will make the second most money this season with earnings of $62.5 million, followed by Stephen Curry at $47.1 million. Curry’s $12.1 million salary ranks No. 83 in the NBA but he will make $35 million off the court.

Rounding out the top five highest-paid NBA players are James Harden ($46.5 million) and Russell Westbrook ($41.5 million).