New Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel told NBA insider Chris Mannix of Volume Sports that the franchise has not waived point guard Chris Paul.
Vogel talked highly of Paul and made it sound like he wants to coach the future Hall of Famer next season.
“We did not waive Chris [Paul]… He’s just one of the great winners our game has ever seen… I’m really hopeful to have an opportunity to work with him,” Vogel said.
Paul has a partially guaranteed contract for next season. Multiple reports have stated that the Suns will either waive, stretch or trade CP3 this offseason. The NBA legend could re-sign with Phoenix on a cheap deal if he’s waived.
Paul is only guaranteed $15.8 million of his $30.8 million salary for next season. If he’s waived, the Suns are expected to stretch the $15.8 million over the next five seasons to create more salary cap space and open up the team’s ability to use the $12.2 million taxpayer midlevel exception.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Frank Vogel & Phoenix Suns Updates
A 12-time All-Star, Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists this season for the Suns in 59 games while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. Phoenix won 45 games in the regular season and defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
However, the Suns lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Paul, 38, got hurt in Game 2 and missed the rest of the series.
After the Suns got eliminated by the Nuggets, head coach Monty Williams was fired. Vogel, who has coached the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, was hired as Williams’ replacement. He signed a five-year deal with Phoenix.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Frank Vogel & Phoenix Suns Updates
It’s going to be very interesting to see what the Suns do with Paul this offseason. The Wake Product is no longer a superstar in the NBA, but he’s still an elite passer whose high IQ can’t be overlooked.
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