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The Latest Odds on Celtics Acquiring Chris Paul
A disappointing second-round exit has resulted in the Suns making a coaching change and searching for a new floor general.
As Bleacher Report and TNT's Chris Haynes first reported, the expectation is Phoenix waives Chris Paul.
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The 11-time All-NBA member's $30.8 million contract has a guarantee deadline of June 28. Roughly $15 million of his deal is currently guaranteed.
Trading for the future Hall of Famer is a path for teams to shed salary, taking on Paul's contract and moving a deal with multiple years left off its books.
From there, the franchise acquiring the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon could also decide to waive him if a trade gets finalized before that June 28 guarantee date, or buy him out, freeing him to join a preferred destination, if it happens afterward.
If nothing materializes on that front, and the Suns waive and stretch Paul, they cannot re-sign him. But if they only execute the former, they can bring him back.
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Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson places the potential for the 12-time All-Star staying in Phoenix at +450 (18.2 percent).
According to Thompson, Paul's most likely landing spot is joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, giving that scenario a +375 (21.1 percent) chance of coming to fruition.
Los Angeles' other NBA team, the Clippers, is tied with the Suns for the second-highest odds at +450 (18.2 percent).
The Celtics are the fifth-most likely destination, per Thompson, at +800 (11.1 percent); the Rockets, one spot ahead of Boston at +500 (16.7 percent), round out the top five.
Should the Celtics acquire Paul to bolster their hopes for Banner 18?
Inside The Celtics broke down the potential paths to making that happen, the ramifications, and whether it's ultimately worth it from this vantage point.
Further Reading
The Latest on Yam Madar and Juhann Begarin
Former NBA Star Cautions Celtics Against Splitting Up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
Suns Waiving Chris Paul; Should the Celtics Sign Him?
If Celtics Trade Malcolm Brogdon, Here's a Realistic Return Who'd Be a Better Fit
Exploring Potential Payton Pritchard Trades
Shaquille O'Neal Advises Celtics to Break Up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
After Hiring Sam Cassell, Celtics Linked to Another Top Assistant
Sam Cassell Checks Nearly Every Box in Celtics Search to Strengthen Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Staff
Danny Ainge Discusses Celtics' Unfulfilled Potential
Are the Celtics Small Tweaks from a Title? Brad Stevens Thinks So
Celtics' Championship Aspirations Undermined by Identity Crisis
