Chris Paul is set to be waived by the Phoenix Suns, according to sources. The 38-year-old point guard has spent the last three seasons with the Suns.
What happened?
The Suns have notified Paul of their plans to waive him ahead of this offseason, sources told Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.
Why it matters for Chris Paul
This move would make Paul an unrestricted free agent this summer, allowing him to explore other options. Paul has shown significant signs of decline in recent seasons, averaging a career-low 13.9 points per game in 2022-23.
What comes next?
The Suns are also exploring trade opportunities that could include big man Deandre Ayton, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Phoenix remains eligible to re-sign Paul on a cheaper deal, but only if they don't stretch his owed money to save cap space.
Paul's playmaking is still among the league's best, ranking in the top five in assists per game in all but two of his career campaigns. He ranks third all-time in total assists, just over 4,000 away from John Stockton's top mark.
The Suns' decision to waive Paul would offload just under $15 million of his $30 million owed next season, the final year of his contract. This would give the team more flexibility in the offseason.
Paul reportedly plans to play in the league for several more seasons and contend for a title, despite his decline and age. He has never won a championship in his career.
The Suns would enter the Frank Vogel era without a starting point guard and with limited cap space due to the large contracts owed to superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, if Paul departs.
Paul's departure would leave a significant void in the Suns' lineup, as he has been a key contributor to the team's success in recent seasons. His experience and leadership would be difficult to replace.
The future of Chris Paul is uncertain, but one thing is clear: he will not be returning to the Suns next season, at least not on his current contract. The question now is, where will he end up next?