Chris Paul’s arrival in 2020 helped turn the Phoenix Suns into a title contender, but his time with the franchise came to an end on Sunday. The Suns shipped him off to the Washington Wizards as part of the package for Bradley Beal and it wasn’t something Paul was expecting.
He stated he was surprised he got traded and during an interview with Sopan Deb of the New York Times, stated that Isiah Thomas played a role in his departure.
“It’s just — it’s tough,” Paul said. “Seriously, it is part of the business, and what you realize is that no one owes you anything. No matter how you are with them or what you do, you realize that in this business, nobody owes you anything, as it should be. But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that, you know, Mat (Ishbia) and Isiah, I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction.”
Paul stated in the interview that he had a conversation with GM James Jones a day before the trade and implied that he had heard nothing about a trade from him. He then again stated in the interview that Ishbia and Thomas must have wanted to go in another direction.
It seems Paul wanted to make sure that it was out there that Isiah has a role in the organization. Thomas and Ishbia are relatively close friends and when it was announced that Ishbia was going to be the new owner, a report had indicated Thomas would have a role with the team. Both parties were quick to deny it, but Paul’s comments indicate otherwise.
Suns Insider Believes It Is Absurd To Think Isiah Thomas Played A Role Here
Paul’s comments certainly caused quite a stir, as Thomas still has no official role with the Suns. He basically implied Isiah had a big say in matters within the organization and that wouldn’t have sat well with the fans. Suns insider John Gambadoro was quick to dismiss it, however, as he called Paul’s comments absurd.
“Chris Paul insinuating that Isiah Thomas had a role in him getting traded to Washington is absurd. From my understanding when the Suns brass met with Beal it was James Jones, Mat Ishbia, Frank Vogel, and Josh Bartelstein. Thomas was not a part of it.”
Chris Paul insinuating that Isiah Thomas had a roll in him getting traded to Washington is absurd. From my understanding when the Suns brass met with Beal it was James Jones, Mat Ishbia, Frank Vogel and Josh Bartelstein. Thomas was not a part of it.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 20, 2023
How big of a role did Isiah play? Well, only those within the organization would know that for sure. If he didn’t, then Paul just comes across as someone who wanted to cause some trouble on his way out.
If Thomas did play a role, though, then that isn’t a great sign. The decision maker for Phoenix for anything related to team building should primarily be James Jones and if Thomas and Ishbia are running the show, then his days are numbered.
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