Suns point guard Chris Paul intends to turn down his player option for the 2021/22 season in order to seek a new contract, multiple sources tell Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Opting out will make Paul an unrestricted free agent this summer.
[RELATED: NBA Player Option Decisions For 2021/22]
The value of that ’21/22 option is $44.2MM, which is more than Paul has ever earned in a single season and would be one of the highest salaries in the NBA. A year or two ago, the 36-year-old was considered a virtual lock to pick up that option. But back-to-back All-Star seasons in Oklahoma City and Phoenix have buoyed his stock, putting him in position to secure one last multiyear deal.
Pincus suggests that Paul might be seeking a contract in the range of $100MM over three years. Essentially, he’d be taking the same route that Gordon Hayward did a year ago, or that Al Horford did in 2019 — turning down an option and accepting a slightly lesser short-term salary, but adding more years to his contract and substantially increasing the overall guarantee.
It’s possible that Paul’s plans could change between now and his decision deadline on August 1. Pincus notes that it’s unclear whether CP3’s recent shoulder injury might alter his thinking, for example.
However, even after re-injuring that right shoulder in Game 5, Paul seemed relatively “OK,” as head coach Monty Williams confirmed after Tuesday’s game (Twitter link via Gina Mizell). He’s listed as probable for Game 6 on Thursday night, and there’s no expectation he won’t play, so I imagine it would take a more serious injury for him to seriously consider changing course and picking up his option.
Given the success they’ve had with Paul this season, the Suns will almost certainly push to re-sign the veteran guard if and when he opts out. Phoenix has the cap flexibility to accommodate a new deal for CP3, though the club will face a number of major contract decisions this offseason and may be wary of tacking on too many years, with Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges up for extensions.
Multiple sources told Pincus they believe Ayton is worth the max, while Bridges could be in line for a salary in the range of $20MM per year.
I mean if he leads the suns to the second or third round I don’t see him leaving
And I don’t see Phoenix letting him leave either.
Lakers on a 1 year vet minimum with Schroder likely gone. Then can re up once lakers have bird rights for a higher aav. Pretty sure he wants a ring at this point
Pretty sure hes’ about to knock the Lakers out of the playoffs.
ESPN
Perkins wants Lillard to join the Lakers
What is your trade idea to improve the Blazers?
Trade CJ
It doesn’t matter anyway dude, It’s fake, remember?
It’s not fake, it’s rigged. Big difference.
Sure, Tats. Suppose the next move after locking up CP3 for the minimum would be to trade their 2025 2nd round pick and Dudley for the first overall from whoever wins the lottery this year.
Stop doing meth
Bosh will come back and coach. Melo will join CP3 and LBJ. Banana boat.
lmao he’s going to take a $40 million paycut to play for a worse team (the Lakers). Sure, bro. How do all of your troll-level posts always have a bunch of upvotes right after they’re posted?
They’re spot on mentioning Hayward and Horford since signing Chris Paul to a 3-year deal will have the exact same result as what happened with those two players.
Instant regerts
You’re actually right on this one Wally.
Good job.
Do the math.
How many blue collar, hard working individuals could be employed for 44.2 MILLION A YEAR ????
884 @ $50k a year each.
None of them have a skill worth $44.2 million
A company with 884 people and a 50k avg salary produces something that makes more than 44.2M a year. That’s how business works, earn more than you spend, unless you’re based in Silicon Valley, then it’s burn as much funding as you can.
How would they help the Phoenix Suns exactly? Lol
Wow….I’m not sure that’s a wise move….44 million? Who is paying more than that….he’s not worth 44 million over 3 years anymore.
Right now his agent is seeking therapy.
For real. He’s not worth anywhere near $44M today. 18 months from now? Lol. No chance.
He’ll be lucky to get $44M over three years, AND that would be assuming anyone would even go three years.
Spencer Dinwiddie is looking for $20 a year and he might actually get it. Lowry wants 3/90 and he might too.
I don’t think it’s a great long term move but CP3 will easily get 3/100, unless his arm falls off he’ll end up making more money opting out.
Yep. I could see our Knicks paying him that much.
If he can get 3/100 then it’s worth it. If he waits and doesn’t have a good year, he might be lucky to get 10.
It’s a good idea to compare to Hayward and Horford contracts
It’s also a good idea to sign vet min with Clippers and Lakers and wing a ring
Reality is that he wants more money
Paul re-signs with the Suns for less annually but more overall. Wins nothing.
I could see Bridges in the $16-22 million range, but I wouldnt pay Ayton more than $16-18 million at most. Honestly, very few bigs are worth more than that in today’s NBA, and he doesnt do a lot of what those guys do…that being said, obviously teams still somehow pay other bigs like that, so I’m sure he’ll still get it. He definitely improved significantly though, so we’ll see if he can keep trending in a good direction. Probably depends on what they have around him, and if they can keep their versatility and defense at those 3/4 spots that they’ve accumulated
Ayton is going to get paid.
As he should.
Eh.. idk about that dude. 33M for a 38 yr old oft injured guard? Don’t see that happening. I’d 44.2M and see if you can con someone into a 2/40-45M after that.
Paul has no chance to sign $56 million contract next summer
It’s correct to opt out and sign $100 million contract
So…. a team that wouldn’t want to give him 56mil would rather give him 100mil ??
Paul
Real value 3 years $50 million
Suns would pay him 3 years $100 million if he opts out
lol
C.mon if someone gives him 60*3 is a dumb
New York Knicks
Interesting timing to make this known with Lebron whispering in his ear to come back to LA.
The team with championship banners.
Unless they did a sign and trade with Dennis there’s no way LA can pay Paul
Phoenix has a much brighter future. LA has Lebron at a year older, Street Clothes Davis, and making room for old Chris Paul. At least with Phoenix, he has Booker and Ayton. Lakers winning championships 30-50 years ago means nothing.
So if the number in free agency is 3 years, 100 million, then let’s compare.
If he takes that, then he averages 33 million a year. 10 million less this year
If he takes the 44 million, then he would be one year older and have to secure 2 years 56 million. That seems way less likely at that point
Both CP3 and Melo joining the Lakers to chase a ring next season.
Will Kevin Garnett be coming out of retirement to join them? How many other old players are going to join the Lakers? I hear Jerry West and Larry Bird have been getting into shape. Chase a ring? Better get a hover-round.
Yeah I think if he had any doubts his current shoulder issue probably put them to rest.
If he opts in next season then misses time with an injury, experiences a general decline, Phoenix doesn’t get a top 2 seed, etc etc, then he’s going to market in ’22 with way less leverage than he has now.
He’s “expected to” = his agent said he’s going to. Messaging that Suns don’t have the option of just letting the contract play out.
If he negotiates a new multi-year deal with the Suns, I can almost guarantee it will be via an extension, where he opts in to next year, and gets two additional years at a lower annual amount. It’s better for both sides.
I think if he leaves he goes closer to his home like Charlotte or Atlanta
I get trying to get a three yr deal. His play has probably earned that. But which teams would pay more than 25 mill for 3 yrs. He might be worth it to Suns, Lakers or Sixers. Why would any other team want him for age 36, 37, 38. And pay 30 mill for what 16 n 8. He’s better than Schroeder for two yrs maybe. But why wouldn’t you take Lowry instead at 20-25 mill. I wouldn’t give him 100 mill If I’m Suns. I’d rather sign Dinwiddie for 5 yrs at 20 mill, 125 mill tops. Wish him the best. Always like his game. But his options are limited if you ask me.
It it is really a 1 or 2 year contract if you have assets to attach when you want to trade him to another team that can take the salary hit. It’s SOP in the NBA these days.
Well, we know Miami will be knocking that door.
Dolan has to be licking his lips.
Suns or mavs…who will CP3 choose???
Jae Crowder…”hey I’m doing the salsa”