Golden State Warriors insider Anthony Slater of The Athletic thinks Chris Paul may get traded at the NBA trade deadline.
The Warriors acquired Paul last offseason from the Washington Wizards in the Jordan Poole trade. Paul is currently out after undergoing surgery on his hand.
“I think it’s a possibility. Part of the reason they traded for him was that optionality,” Slater said on The HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto. “Part of the appeal of his contract also when they made the move where they traded Jordan Poole for him was the fact that it was expiring. They are moving into this world where are they going to extend Klay Thompson in the summer?”
Paul is making $30.8 million this season. His salary for next season is non-guaranteed. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.1 blocks for the Warriors while shooting 42.4% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors Updates
“His contract has value to them as not only an expiring deal, but a deal that this summer that has a $30 million non-guaranteed year,” Slater said. “You could release that or try to sign him to a lower number. You also could put that into a trade this summer.”
The Warriors are 19-24. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. If the season ended today, the Dubs wouldn’t even be in the play-in tournament.
A 12-time All-Star, Paul has career averages of 17.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.2 blocks. He’s one of the greatest players in NBA history but still hasn’t won a championship.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors Updates
The Warriors tried to trade Paul to the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam, sources told NBA Analysis Network, but a deal didn’t happen because Siakam wasn’t interested in re-signing with Golden State. Siakam becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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