Chris Paul was on a plane when he found out the Phoenix Suns traded him to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal on Father’s Day in the latest NBA blockbuster deal.
The Suns traded Paul, Landry Shamet and draft picks to the Wizards for Beal, who waived his no-trade clause to land in Phoenix with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Washington is expected to trade or waive CP3, who has a partially guaranteed contract for next season.
The Los Angeles Clippers are interested in trading for Paul, while the Los Angeles Lakers would like to sign the veteran as an unrestricted free agent. CP3 averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists for the Suns this past season while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns & Washington Wizards Updates
Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James and Paul are best friends. An NBA general manager told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that it’s Paul’s “dream” to play for the Lakers and with James. Paul almost became a Laker in 2011 to play with Kobe Bryant before former commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade between the Lakers and New Orleans Hornets.
“Lakers first,” one Eastern Conference GM texted Deveney. “It’s not definite, a lot can happen. But you’d have to start there. He always had (the) dream of being a Laker (and) playing with LBJ (James).”
Paul’s wife and kids live in Los Angeles. The Wake Product played six seasons for the Clippers, who have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Paul averaged 18.8 points and 9.8 assists with the Clippers. However, he never got past the second round of the playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns & Washington Wizards Updates
The Suns made the NBA Finals in Paul’s first year with the team. Phoenix had a 2-0 lead on the Milwaukee Bucks before losing four straight games. Paul has yet to win an NBA championship.
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