The Phoenix Suns are reportedly considering waiving 38-year-old point guard Chris Paul ahead of June 28, when the Suns have to make a decision on his contract. Reports suggested he had already been waived, but new information has emerged.
Adrian Wojnarowski has revealed that the Suns are still exploring other possibilities for Paul than just waiving him, including trades that could see him or Deandre Ayton end up elsewhere. Woj reiterated that the Suns are looking for a financial way to keep Paul on the roster.
“I’m told that the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul had a series of conversations today to start discussing his future in Phoneix, including the possibility that the team could use the waive-and-stretch provision on his contract prior to the June 28th date to guarantee his contract… Chris Paul wants to remain with the Suns and he wants to be back with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Right now, the Suns are looking at a lot of alternatives, including trade possibilities. They’re going to have talks about Deandre Ayton, so can they move money around to keep Chris Paul on the roster? Or find a trade where they can build out their depth… Right now, Phoenix would like to find a way to financially keep Chris Paul on this roster.”
Reporting for NBA Countdown on the Suns beginning conversations with Chris Paul on his future with franchise pic.twitter.com/2DoOaRX3fV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 8, 2023
Chris Paul has a partly guaranteed team option for $30.8 million this season. If the Suns decline the option, CP3 is entitled to $15.8 million as a guarantee, and the amount will count against the Suns’ cap, a brutal blow for a team already over the luxury tax line.
Waive, Trade, Or Keep?
The Suns have a myriad of options with Paul, and it seems neither of the three is something CP3 envisioned when he led the franchise to the NBA Finals in his first season with the squad. Waiving would be the simplest, as CP gets full autonomy over his next contract decision, while the Suns can stretch the $15.8 million over multiple seasons to have the financial flexibility to make roster moves.
Trading seems like the hardest possibility, as CP’s value won’t cause any cap space team to give the Suns any usable assets. Contending teams won’t accept CP on the contract he’s on anyway. Unless the Spurs think it’ll be useful to give up some lower-end players to have CP mentor Victor Wembanyama, trade possibilities are slim.
Keeping Paul would be ideal but hey simply cannot afford the contract given the team-building restriction. If CP is willing to renegotiate after the Suns decline his team option, there is a slim chance that this partnership will continue into the next season.
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