Chris Paul wants to stay but will the Phoenix Suns let him go?
If one thing is clear where the Suns’ veteran point guard is concerned, it’s that nothing is. With that said, he’s made it clear that he wants to stay where he is.
After acquiring two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant, many expected the Suns to take the NBA by storm. What followed was a second-round playoff exit and a whole lot of second-guessing about the roster. Indeed, that discussion included the future of Chris Paul.
Chris Paul wants to stay in Phoenix
You may have seen reports in recent weeks about questions surrounding Chris Paul’s future with the Phoenix Suns. It was just after the team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the eventual champions, Denver Nuggets. With Paul’s contract only partially guaranteed i.e., $15 million of his $30.8 million salary could be saved if he is waived, it looked like the Suns were going to cash in on the veteran guard, who it has to be said had just come from an underwhelming season. On the other hand, the Suns have since denied those ideas but it’s worth mentioning that there’s been no further movement where Paul is concerned.
At any rate, Paul himself has now left no doubt as to what he would like to do. “I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Paul told the media recently. “You’ve never heard me come in and say I don’t want to be here you know what I mean. But I understand the business of this league, the dynamics or whatnot. So we’ll see.” The words of a man who has his heart set, though his mind appreciates he may not get his wish.
What are we looking at when it comes to Chris Paul and the Suns?
In truth, this situation is likely to go in one of four directions. Firstly, the Suns could do what they said they don’t intend to which is trade him as part of a deal for a high-profile player, or to a team intent on waiving him. Then, there is the option of simply keeping him on the roster with the above-mentioned cap hit of $30.8 million. There’s also the slightly trickier avenue of waiving him and trying to resign him. Such a move would in theory allow the franchise to sign him at whatever figure is agreed, plus the $15 million in dead salary. Last but not least, they could waive and stretch him i.e., extend his remaining salary over five seasons which again would in theory result in his cap figure being lowered to about $3.2 million for next season. Of course, if they were to travel such a road, they would be unable to resign him.
So what next for the Suns and Chris Paul?
Truth be told, we’re not sure. Given what’s been said thus far by both sides, it’s anyone’s guess. What we do know is that at 38-years-old Paul’s best years are likely behind him. At the same time that’s not to say he’s no longer an elite player. As recently as 2021, it was Paul who spearheaded the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals. Despite this year’s failure, this is a team with serious firepower. With Kevin Durant now fully in the fold and the excellent Devin Booker essentially on the verge of being an established star, Phoenix has a lot to look forward to. Still, it would be dishonest to say that Paul is the player he once was and what’s more, the suns have a paper-thin roster. It could well be that the best way in which to improve it is to move on from Paul. Watch this space.