Future Corridor of Fame guard Chris Paul may very well be on the transfer.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that Paul can be waived by the Suns, however The Athletic’s Shams Charania got here again with a conflicting report.
Charania said that the Suns are “exploring a number of choices” for Paul, “together with a commerce, stretching his contract, or waiving and re-signing him in free company.”
The 12-time All-Star has two years and $60.8 million remaining on his contract, however solely $15.8 million through the upcoming season is assured. If he is not waived earlier than June 28, the total $30 million can be assured.
As an alternative, Phoenix is contemplating shifting in a special course. The 38-year-old is coming off a season the place he averaged a career-low 13.9 factors per recreation and suffered one other groin damage that sidelined him for the rest of the playoffs.
Haynes added that Paul “plans to play for a number of extra years and is raring to assist a workforce contend for a championship,” ruling out the potential for retirement.
If the Suns resolve to waive him, it’s unknown what Paul could be in search of in his subsequent contract. If he’s prepared to take the veteran minimal to hitch a contender, all 30 groups are in play.
The place may Paul swimsuit as much as pursue his first profession championship ring if Phoenix decides to chop ties? The Sporting Information takes a take a look at some doable locations beneath.
Chris Paul free agent locations
Los Angeles Lakers
The apparent workforce that involves thoughts is the Lakers, given Paul’s storied relationship with LeBron James. It is an added bonus that Los Angeles may use one other level guard.
Start line guard D’Angelo Russell is ready to hit unrestricted free company, and his play was subpar at finest throughout Los Angeles’ run to the Western Convention Finals. Paul may present the Lakers with a (doubtlessly) less expensive choice whereas maintaining James comfortable by including an in depth buddy to the roster.
Regardless that Paul seemed like a shell of himself at occasions throughout this previous season, he’s nonetheless the kind of chief and playmaking scoring risk that may elevate a workforce seeking to contend for a title.
Bear in mind when NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed a commerce between the Hornets and Lakers that may have paired Paul with Kobe Bryant again in 2011? Perhaps CP3 lastly lands in Los Angeles with one other all-time nice greater than a decade later.
Miami Warmth
The Warmth are slightly busy competing within the NBA Finals in the intervening time, however Paul may very well be an excellent asset to a Miami workforce attempting to capitalize on its championship window.
Start line guard Gabe Vincent is ready to change into an unrestricted free agent and Kyle Lowry has one yr and $29.7 million remaining on his contract. The Warmth will doubtless re-sign Vincent after he has morphed into Stephen Curry throughout their run to the NBA Finals, but when Paul was prepared to signal for the minimal, it might make Lowry expendable.
Miami may use Lowry’s contract (amongst different belongings) to match salaries in a commerce for an additional key rotation participant, and Paul may fill his position because the workforce’s veteran flooring basic.
It looks like a Pat Riley-esque transfer to maximise the expertise on the Warmth’s roster.
LA Clippers
Reunion, anybody?
Paul is arguably the best participant in Clippers franchise historical past, with a few of the finest years of his profession coming through the “Lob Metropolis” period. He was a five-time All-Star in LA, taking the Clippers to the playoffs in a franchise-best six consecutive seasons from 2011-17. However to say there’s unfinished enterprise could be an understatement, as none of these Clippers groups even reached the Western Convention Finals.
LA is attempting to make the most of a closing championship window with famous person wings Kawhi Leonard (31 years previous) and Paul George (33) nonetheless on the roster. It briefly stuffed its void for some extent guard with Russell Westbrook this previous season, signing the outcast All-Star to a veteran minimal deal on the buyout market, however he’ll change into an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Regardless that George has already campaigned for Westbrook’s return, may the Clippers maybe go in a special course to carry again a franchise legend? Or is there a world by which they might signal each future Corridor of Famers?
That will surely fill their level guard void, even when neither participant is who they had been of their prime.
Philadelphia 76ers
With the information that James Harden is torn between a reunion with the Rockets or a return to the 76ers, Paul may very well be a fallback choice for Philadelphia. And even when Harden re-signs, perhaps Sixers president Daryl Morey could be fascinated by working issues again from the 2017-2019 Houston days with Harden, Paul and P.J. Tucker.
Harden was twice nearly as good as Paul this previous season, so it would not be a one-for-one alternative if the prolific playmaker does resolve to signal with the Rockets. However Paul continues to be a viable choice to steer a workforce with championship aspirations. He would even be an excellent mentor for rising star Tyrese Maxey, who seemed able to tackle an even bigger position after a stellar run within the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The familiarity with Morey is there, whether or not Harden returns or not.
Honorable Mentions
Phoenix Suns: In line with Charania’s report, a return to the Suns would nonetheless be doable even when they resolve to waive Paul. The transfer would permit Phoenix to lower his assured cash in half, then re-sign the veteran guard on a less expensive deal to carry him again.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans have been fringe playoff contenders for 2 seasons now, however Zion Williamson’s well being has prevented them from taking a leap into title rivalry. Level guard is a place of want, and Paul spent the primary six seasons of his profession in New Orleans.
Boston Celtics: The Celtics may use some veteran management and match the “title contender” invoice that Paul can be in search of. He would simply should be prepared to sacrifice some taking part in time, as Boston already has Marcus Sensible, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon.
Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks are one other workforce that might use a veteran flooring basic, and All-Star Jrue Vacation may simply slide to capturing guard if Paul was there to run the purpose. He would give Milwaukee some wanted guard depth.
