Chris Paul is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Talent-wise, impact-wise, there’s just no denying that he’s the best point guard of modern-era and a top-5 (maybe even top 3) point guards in the history of the game.
However, his lack of success in the playoffs has always tainted his legacy and while you can’t put all the blame on one player, it’s hard to argue with those that think he should’ve at least made the NBA Finals already to be considered an all-time great.
That’s why Rachel Nichols, Chiney Ogwumike, and Richard Jefferson were discussing the rumors claiming Paul may leave the Oklahoma City Thunder next summer to join a Championship contender, wondering whether he should waive or not the 44 million dollars he’s due next season.
So Jefferson – being the joker he is, offered to put an end to Paul’s misery by selling him his Championship ring from 2016. Obviously, that would require Paul to make a huge investment worthy of one year of his salary:
“Honestly, I don’t waive that 40 million at the end of your career. That’s silly to even talk about. Bill Gates would not waive 40 million dollars, Warren Buffet would not waive 40 million dollars. (…) I’m thinking about what he can do later on his career like Jason Kidd. Jason Kidd was a dominant player and then he went to Dallas as one of the ball-control guys. He wasn’t that triple-double every night like he was but he was still a great point guard. So I think when his contract is up Chris Paul could still have one or two more years as the starting point guard for a Championship team at a level that the pay probably matches his play a little bit better. (…) He can give me 40 million and I’ll give him my Championship ring,” Jefferson claimed.
Obviously, judging Paul’s career entirely on silverware wouldn’t be fair to his greatness and impact as a two-way dominant guard. He’s turned every team he’s played for on a playoff team but hasn’t been lucky enough to go all the distance.
Perhaps Jefferson is right and he’ll still have a shot at a ring as Jason Kidd or Gary Payton did back in the day, but 40 million dollars is just too much money to give up on.
