There are conflicting reports on what the Suns intend to do with future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul.
Although Chris Haynes recently reported that the Suns plan to waive Paul’s partially guaranteed contract, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic hears from sources who say Phoenix is still evaluating its options with the veteran point guard. Paul remains on the roster for now.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Suns spoke to Paul’s agent on Wednesday and let him know they want to find a mutually beneficial resolution. Charania reports that a trade, waiving and stretching Paul’s contract, and waiving Paul outright and possibly re-signing him are among the options being considered.
One notable option that Charania did not mention is fully guaranteeing Paul’s $30.8MM contract for 2023/24, which is currently partially guaranteed for $15.8MM (it’s non-guaranteed for $30MM in ’24/25). The 38-year-old’s salary would become fully guaranteed if he’s not waived on or before June 28, but that doesn’t sound like it’s on the table for the Suns.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Suns intend to explore trade possibilities for Paul and Deandre Ayton, which could obviously have a profound impact on the team’s roster.
As of now, sources tell Wojnarowski that Paul wants to return to Phoenix and play with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. However, Paul and his representatives would like the Suns to find a quick solution, particularly if he’s waived, even though they’re technically under no obligation to do so.
There’s an expectation that the Suns will use the stretch provision on Paul’s deal if he does end up getting cut, Wojnarowski writes. That would spread his $15.8MM cap hit over five seasons, for annual charge of $3.16MM. Paul would be ineligible to re-sign with Phoenix in that scenario.
Plugged-in local radio host John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM also disputes Haynes’ report, tweeting that the Suns haven’t yet decided what they’re going to do with Paul.
Come to Denver please
Ayton for Poole is going to happen later this off season. Close to same payroll hit. Poole becomes Suns PG taking Paul’s place.
Warriors don’t need ayton, they have kevon looney. Suns don’t want poole, they have Devin booker.
Looney gets pushed around by bigger players. Warriors need somebody big to rebound and set screens.
Lol
Not a chance. The Warriors might be willing to do that if they could flip Ayton somewhere else. But no way the Suns would want Poole to be their PG. First off he is not really a PG and secondly Vogel is a defense minded coach who would absolutely hate Poole.
Actually when Poole starts, he has pretty solid numbers. It’s when he’s coming off the bench that he doesn’t do as well.
Poole stinks. He let himself get punched and just took it. He slunk out. He punked out.
Ask yourself why Phx would want Poole?
I’m not completely dissin the player, although his value is currently in the toilet, but he’s in no way shape or form the player Phx would target to pair with KD/Book, especially with there only current asset (Ayton) they own.
Ayton value is in the toilet too is why they could be traded for each other. Both players has a lot to prove next year. Suns has nobody that can play PG on the team.
Suns has Booker. What do now?
Booker is a shooting guard not a PG.
Just because Poole can usually dribble the ball past half-court should’nt imply that is he’s a competent PG…
Stop copying me. I said this a couple months ago
If CP3 resigns for the MLE that would set a bad precedent considering he is a former president of the Player’s Association.
Any team can claim him. If no one wants him for 15.8M so be it.
The precedent he would set would be for 38 year old PGs who have already made hundreds of millions and are chasing their first championship ring. A very, very small group – as in a group of 1.
S&T Kyrie for Ayton?
Does that work both? IDK.
Durant read this and immediately had a PTSD episode.
If Lowry isnt back…rectify the mistake in 2019 and bring chris paul in
Just curious but where’s Lowry going to go?
We’ll take him back in TO as part of a S&T for FVV if Miami adds a FRP
Who cares ….. he’s finished. The window is just about closed.
Nobody wants Poole. Warriors window is just about closed too …….
I would trade Tobias Harris for Poole
Poole is a system guy. Who won’t have success away from Warriors offense. He’s not even having success there now. Harris is a proven commodity. Sixers just don’t use him right. Especially with Harden there.
Harris sucks.
He’s a career 37% (3PT) shooter.
He’s gone from 16.3 to 11.4 FGA with Philly. And he still has a 48% FG for career. For Philly he’s shot 84# FT. Despite having less n less attempts.
So …….. Tobias says your Eyes Suck. Buy a bigger TV. Then you might actually see the Truth ……
Boy that 2nd tax apron scaring the s**t out of everyone, even a first time team owner.
Bulls need a point guard, and don’t need more than 30 min per game if they re sign Pat Beverley. Donovan and CP have an ongoing friendship since OKC.
Bulls don’t have a lot of options but neither does Paul – suppose he might want to finally play with Lebron, but he would get ALL the credit if he made the Bulls competitive. High risk, high reward.
The Bulls don’t need any of the ‘over the hill’ point guards such as Paul, Beverley or D Rose. If Paul has value, then the Suns would just keep him.
Signs with LeBron for the minimum. Banana Boat dream comes true. David Sterns raises from the dead.
The NBA needs stern back. He could do a better job where he is now. Sorry. RIP
I would fear that Lakers team over the Suns for sure
I would fear Zombie Sterns more than either team
Trade him, fast!
He would be a perfect fit for miami next year.When there whole team come back and all he will have to do is run the team.And it will not cost the team a lot.