According to one NBA insider, Paul’s future with the team might not be long.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently said that he thinks “Chris Paul is elsewhere next year.”
“We can talk about a whole bunch of different people who might not be back here next year,” MacMahon said on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast. “I would certainly anticipate they aggressively shop Chris Paul before that June 28 deadline that would guarantee his salary from $15.8 [million] to $30.8 [million]. I think it is pretty likely that Chris Paul is elsewhere next year.”
Bleacher Report speculated that Paul could have some suitors.
Mike Chiari wrote: “The one major accomplishment not yet on Paul’s resume is an NBA championship, so if the Suns try to trade him, it seems likely that Paul’s preference would be to go to a team that has a chance to vie for a title next season. Even with his advancing age and durability concerns, Paul is still a solid player when healthy and an excellent leader, so the Suns would have a huge void in their backcourt if they trade him. As of now, Cameron Payne would be the top internal candidate to take over as Phoenix’s starting point guard next season.”
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Hoops Hype wondered if the Suns could trade Paul.
Yossi Gozlan wrote: “Paul, on the other hand, might not have much trade value at all given his age and $60.8 million owed over the next two seasons. If the Suns can’t move him, they could attempt to waive him and re-sign him to the $12.2 million mid-level exception. He would add a $15.8 million dead cap hit but the set off at the end of the season would reduce it by $5.2 million. This maneuvering would allow them to keep Paul next year while saving $8 million.”
The Suns would potentially need to decide about Paul quickly, his contract for the 2023-24 season is partially guaranteed for $15.8 million, but becomes fully guaranteed for $30.8 million on June 28.
Could the Suns decide to go with a faster, younger point guard and trade or waive Paul?
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Speculation swirled about Chris Paul’s future with the Suns on social media after Phoenix’s elimination from the NBA Playoffs
What do you think: Should the Suns trade Chris Paul?
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chris Paul trade speculation runs rampant after Suns’ loss to Nuggets
