the suns He had major designs to win his first NBA title just a few months ago, when Phoenix pushed its chips to the table and grabbed the forward. Kevin Durant from networks On the 9th of February.
However, the NuggetsA six-game victory over the Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals blew up those plans. Phoenix responded by firing coach Monty Williams and replacing him with the former Lakers Coach Frank Vogel, and now the team reportedly plans to give up the guard Chris Paul After three seasons.
Even factoring in the sudden exit from the playoffs, news of Paul’s departure was greeted with surprise by NBA watchers on Wednesday afternoon.
With the Lakers identified as a team in need of veteran help off the bench, many joked about former commissioner David Stern’s infamous reversal of a trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers in December 2011.
David Stern when Chris Paul was about to sign a minimal vets contract with the Lakers pic.twitter.com/eNmnht8tJQ https://t.co/5Icg2qygMh
– Mark Kim (@MarkJKim_) June 7, 2023
Others pointed to a story Paul told recently about his daughter being bullied at school because of his lack of an NBA championship.
Chris Paul: Let’s repeat it guys, my daughter is being bullied
Phoenix: pic.twitter.com/RgzlkCHUdk
– I think you should pass the league (nbaleave) June 7, 2023
Chris Paul’s daughters are bullying tomorrow pic.twitter.com/Lkmpqv8JwY
– мιℓєу 💽 (@LifeOfRodeo6God) June 7, 2023
Many debated the timing of the news, just hours before information was received on Game 3 of the NBA Finals between heat and Denver.
Michael Malone when Denver gets no attention today because of Chris Paul, Shaq, and Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/sc8J8JbjC2
– Mariah Rose (@mariahcrose) June 7, 2023
Michael Malone when he saw Chris Paul trending on Twitter not the Nuggets in the NBA Finals
– Lakers Every Day Every Day (LADEig) June 7, 2023
A fan sees a potential return of Paul to Phoenix under different contract terms.
Waive Chris Paul and pay him $15 million guaranteed. Use the mid-level exception for the taxpayer you just got from clearing half of the full CP3 salary off your books on a free agent. Re-sign with Chris Paul for a minute vet pic.twitter.com/qUa8tZtGTq
– Sreekar (@sreekyshooter) June 7, 2023
…but elsewhere the move was celebrated.
Chris Paul was waived pic.twitter.com/FZ69NzEnhW
– Stunna † 🐦⬛ (@ Stunna999_) June 7, 2023
Chris Paul prepares to train with KD and book this summer: pic.twitter.com/b4t8Hwe9kK
– FourAndItsOVER🏀🌉 (@_b0y1da_) June 7, 2023