Lakers News: How Chris Paul's Future In Phoenix Can Have A Ripple Effect On LA
The on-court production of 38-year-old Phoenix Suns starting point guard Chris Paul seems to finally, truly be on permanent decline at this point. No shade is intended in stating this, it's just simple fact. He has gotten hurt or sick during the playoffs across all three of his seasons with Phoenix thus far.
News broke last week that Paul could be waived by the Suns. Later, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed that perhaps rumors of CP3's getting cut were a bit preemptive. Lakers head coach-turned-Suns head coach Frank Vogel later confirmed as much.
Instead, it appears that the Suns are weighing their various options when it comes to Paul's future. One route for roster building would see the team guarantee his money and try to trade him.
Paul is owed $30.8 million in 2023-24, but that number is only partially guaranteed until June 28th. The Suns could waive him ahead of that deadline, and would thus only owe him $15.8 million of that deal (which would not be counted against the team's books). Should he clear waivers, Paul would become an unrestricted free agent, and could even re-sign with the Suns if he so chose, likely for a veteran's minimum deal in the vicinity of $3 million.
The Suns could also waive Paul's contract and stretch out his $15.8 million guarantee over the course of five years, which would give Phoenix $12 million in available cap space this season (plus its mid-level exception).
The 12-time All-Star and first ballot Hall of Famer has had a storied run across his 18 years in the league, and remains a high-level playmaker and defender, even if his shooting and availability have taken a dip of late.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports notes that current Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell, who will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn't agree to an extension before July 1st, was floated as a potential target for the Suns as late as last years' trade deadline, while he was still with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Fischer wonders if a sign-and-trade of Russell for Paul's contract could benefit both teams.
"Russell is known to be close friends with [Suns All-Star shooting guard Devin] Booker," Fischer writes. "Plus, the Lakers are said to be exploring similar sign-and-trade possibilities with Russell. For Los Angeles and Phoenix, losing Russell by free agency or waiving Paul would sacrifice a $30 million salary slot that feels all the more precious while staring down a daunting new second tax apron in the league’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement. These decisions are not ones to make on a whim, and that’s why Phoenix and Paul have begun discussing different alternatives roughly three weeks before free agency begins."
Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!
