New Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel told point guard Chris Paul at a breakfast meeting that he wanted to keep him, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Paul wanted to stay with the Suns, who traded the future Hall of Famer to the Washington Wizards in the blockbuster Bradley Beal trade. CP3 is not expected to stay with Washington and has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’m told Chris Paul recently had breakfast with Suns coach Frank Vogel, who — during that conversation — expressed a desire to keep him,” Scotto said. “He also spoke with Suns executive James Jones the night before he was traded. Paul preferred not to be traded to a team that far away from his family in Los Angeles. It’s one of the reasons Paul has been linked to both the Clippers and Lakers in a potential expansion of the trade, along with wanting an opportunity to play for a contender.”
The Clippers are interested in trading for Paul, while the Lakers hope the Wizards waive the 12-time All-Star so they can sign him as an unrestricted free agent. Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists 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 Updates
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM told Scotto that a player reached out to him and mentioned the New York Knicks as a possible landing spot for Paul. However, Gambadoro expects the Wake Forest product to play for the Clippers or Lakers next season.
“I had a player tell me yesterday to watch out for the Knicks,” Gambadoro said. “It’s hard to believe that because when he came to Phoenix, his wife and children stayed in Los Angeles, and he could fly home on an off day very quickly. Being close to his family mattered. I still think the Lakers and Clippers probably have the best shot, probably more so the Lakers. Now, somebody could still trade for him with that salary. I find it hard to believe, but it’s possible.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns Updates
“If he gets waived outright, I wouldn’t rule out the Knicks only because a player told me he was hearing they’re a good option for Chris, so keep that in mind,” Gambadoro explained. “I think, in the end, everyone expects him to end up in Los Angeles.”
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