The Phoenix Suns made another amazing move this offseason, and that was the waiver of veteran guard Chris Paul from his contract on Wednesday.
The Phoenix Suns let it be known in the off-season that they are open to a change. They fired coach Monty Williams after the team’s second-round elimination to the Denver Nuggets and brought in former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel to replace him. With the off-season ahead of them, the team decided to make a tough decision about one of their players who has been pivotal to their success in recent years.
According to TNT’s Chris Haynes, Suns guard Chris Paul was informed that they were relinquishing him from his contract. Paul signed a four-year, $120 million contract that would have kept him a member of the Suns through the summer of 2025.
Even with him gone, Paul does not think of retirement. Per Heinz, Paul plans to play “for several more years and is eager to help the team compete for the championship.”
Update, 7:00 p.m. ET: Shams al-Sha’raniyah refutes Haynes’ report, stating that while the Suns waiving him is an option, they will also explore potential trades and other options. It looks like they can still move on, but waiving and re-signing him is also on the table.
NBA Twitter reacts to reports of Suns waiver of Chris Paul
Let’s take a look at some of the reactions to the Suns’ decision to move on from Paul while the NBA Finals is still going on.
Paul joined the Suns in 2020 after a deal from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, he’s set to be the piece that fills the core of the team for Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. His senior season was successful, as he averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from the three-point line. The Suns reached the NBA Finals that year, having their first two games against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the Bucks won the next four games to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
In the next two seasons, the Suns attempted to win the NBA title for the first time, with Paul. However, they were eliminated in the second round in both years.
Last season, Paul averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, while putting up a field goal percentage of 44.0 and a three-point percentage of 37.5.
With his tenure now over in Phoenix, Paul is looking forward to continuing his football career, hoping to finally lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Now, which team will he eventually bring to the next season?