Chris Paul told NBA insider Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that he wants to stay with the Phoenix Suns.
Paul’s comments come amid Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reporting that the Suns could waive, stretch or trade Paul this offseason. The future Hall of Famer has a partially guaranteed contract for next season and is coming off his worst scoring campaign.
“Absolutely,” Paul said. “That’s why I’m there. I’ve talked with my family, we’ve had conversations about what could be, what might be. I’ve talked with my agent. Talked to my brother (C.J. Paul). I’m working out, training, spending time with my family.”
Paul, 38, averaged a career-low 13.9 points in 2022-23. The Suns lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Paul suffered a groin injury in Game 2 in Denver and missed the rest of the series.
“Paul continues to want to return to the Suns and partner with his close friend Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, sources said,” Woj wrote. “Nevertheless, Paul and his representatives want the organization to make a quicker decision on his future so that he can proceed out into free agency if indeed the Suns ultimately waive him, sources said.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
Only $15.8 million of Paul’s $30.8 million salary for the 2023-24 season is guaranteed if he’s waived. The Suns have already started talking to teams about a CP3 trade.
“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,” Woj wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
“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. 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.”
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