The Phoenix Suns continue to make drastic changes to the franchise, having reportedly waived All-Star point guard Chris Paul on Wednesday.
Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reports that Phoenix notified the 38-year-old that he was going to be released, making him one of the best free agents on the market.
The main reason Paul was fired was due to his high price tag of $30 million dollars this upcoming season, and would have been guaranteed on June 28.
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Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during Game 7 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 15, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
By doing away with Paul, who would become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, the Suns will only have to pay $15.8 million next year.
This comes after the Suns parted ways with Monty Williams as their head coach, replacing him with former Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel.
The big moves for the Suns may not be made either, as DeAndre Ayton is also rumored to be on the trade block.
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But Phoenix still believes there is a championship window open. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker remain formidable two-headed monsters on the court, and the Suns just have other needs to fill.
Finding a new point guard is now a top priority this offseason. The Suns have been linked to Kyrie Irving, a teammate of Durant’s with the Brooklyn Nets before their separate trades at this latest trade deadline. Durant went to the Suns, while Irving was sent to the Dallas Mavericks.
Like Paul, Irving is an unrestricted free agent right now.
There’s also James Harden if the Suns are looking for another star. His marriage to Durant and Irving in Brooklyn didn’t work out the way the Nets wanted, and they eventually traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Chris Paul #3 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns speak during Game 2 of Round 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets on May 1, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
Fred VanVleet and D’Angelo Russell are also intriguing choices among the potential free agent pool.
Teams are likely to align for Paul despite his age. The 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA future Hall of Famer continues to play at a high level in a league that lacks the traditional point guard on most teams.
Paul is still a top-tier general who led the league two years ago with 10.8 assists per game. He had 8.9 with 13.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 59 games last season.
However, Paul was unable to finish the Suns’ playoff run last season due to a groin injury suffered in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets.
Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of Round 2 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Paul has not declared any intention to retire as he looks forward to his 18th year in the NBA after being the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets.