The Phoenix Suns under new owner Mat Ishbia made some big moves in the last few weeks, with the first being the firing of Monty Williams, and then, earlier this week, Chris Paul was waived.
Williams’ replacement was announced to be Frank Vogel and the new head coach claims Paul hasn’t been waived by the team.
“There was a misunderstanding yesterday. We did not waive Chris,” Vogel told Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated. “But there are ongoing conversations about all of the options to improve the roster, which include trades, a waiving of certain players and retaining the guys that we have back. Those are just ongoing conversations. And I personally have communicated with Chris and feel strongly about the opportunity to work with him.”
Adrian Wojnarowski had reported after the news broke regarding Paul being waived that the Suns want to find a way financially to keep him. Woj stated that Paul wants to be back too for another season with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but at this point, it would have to be at a reduced rate than the $30.8 million he was due for the 2023-24 season.
It perhaps makes sense for all parties involved here to think that this trio deserves another chance together. Keep in mind, the Suns were leading in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets when Paul went down with a groin injury and they might feel the series could have gone differently had he been available.
Chris Paul Just Wasn’t The Same This Season
Paul came into the 2022-23 season after making the All-NBA Third Team in 2022. He had also made the Second Team in both 2020 and 2021, but Father Time seemed to have finally caught up with him. His numbers weren’t terrible by means, with averages of 13.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 8.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 0.4 BPG but he wasn’t impacting games as he once did.
It just doesn’t make any sense anymore for the Suns to have the 38-year-old on around $30 million a year on their books, but you’d think they’d love to have him back on a reduced rate. Just how low Paul is willing to go might be the question, as he has some leverage, with the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics being interested in his services.
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