The Phoenix Suns are “actively engaged” in Chris Paul trade talks, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
If the Suns can’t trade Paul, they will likely waive or stretch his contract.
Paul has a partially guaranteed contract for next season and is coming off his worst scoring campaign. The future Hall of Famer averaged a career-low 13.9 points in 2022-23.
“Phoenix Suns ownership and executives had a series of conversations with Chris Paul and his representatives on the All-Star point guard’s future with the franchise Wednesday, including the possibility that he could be waived by the NBA’s June 28 guarantee date on his contract, sources told ESPN,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.
“The Suns insist that they’re still working through several possibilities for Paul’s future and reiterated that to his representatives later Wednesday afternoon, sources said,” Wojnarowski explained. “Phoenix plans to explore trade opportunities including Paul and Deandre Ayton that could alter the franchise’s roster landscape ahead of a final decision on Paul’s partially guaranteed contract, sources said.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Paul suffered a groin injury in Game 2 and missed the rest of the series. Multiple teams, though, are expected to be interested in Paul.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have been heavily linked to Paul. CP3 is close friends with Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James and played for the Clippers for six seasons. Paul’s wife and kids live in Los Angeles.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
A 12-time All-Star, Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. Only $15.8 million of his $30.8 million salary for the 2023-24 season is guaranteed if he’s waived.
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