Reports: Suns weighing options for Chris Paul’s future

The Phoenix Suns’ entrance workplace is engaged in talks with Chris Paul to find out one of the best plan of action for the veteran level guard and his future with the group, ESPN and The Athletic reported on Wednesday evening.

Turner Sports reported earlier Wednesday that the Suns deliberate to waive Paul, however based on ESPN and The Athletic, Phoenix was nonetheless weighing its choices in an try to discover a decision that most closely fits Paul and the group.

While waiving Paul continues to be on the desk, the Suns additionally might contain him in a commerce or stretch his contract over a number of years, per the experiences. Phoenix might additionally choose to re-sign Paul in free company after waiving him.

ESPN reported that Paul could possibly be included in a commerce together with middle Deandre Ayton if the Suns resolve to considerably shake up their roster.

Paul’s agent, Steven Heumann of Creative Artists Agency, was additionally concerned within the discussions surrounding Paul’s future, per The Athletic.

There is another season remaining on a four-year, $120-million contract Paul signed earlier than the 2020-21 season. Paul is scheduled to make $15.8 million subsequent season.

Paul, 38, is a 12-time All-Star who has been affected by accidents through the postseason at varied instances in his profession. He didn’t play in any of the Suns’ final 4 playoff video games towards the Denver Nuggets due to a groin pressure as Phoenix was eradicated.

In 59 regular-season video games this season, Paul’s scoring and help averages have been down a contact to 13.9 factors and eight.9 assists. He has averaged 17.9 factors and 9.5 assists over 18 profession seasons. Paul additionally shot 44.0 p.c from the sector in 2022-23, down from his profession mark of 47.2 p.c.

Paul has appeared within the playoffs in 15 completely different seasons, together with all three with the Suns as he led the group to the NBA Finals in 2021 when the Milwaukee Bucks emerged as champions. He has by no means received an NBA title.

The fourth total decide within the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, Paul additionally has performed for the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder previous to his time with the Suns. The Wake Forest product has performed in 1,214 regular-season video games and 149 playoff video games in his NBA profession.

Paul’s 11,501 profession assists are third in NBA historical past, and he’s forty second on the all-time games-played record.

Ayton, 24, averaged 18.0 factors and 10.0 rebounds in 67 video games final season.

–Field Level Media/Reuters