Suns' Chris Paul Cut or Trade? What It Could Mean for Mavs
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On Wednesday afternoon, Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported that the Phoenix Suns are planning to cut 12-time All-Star Chris Paul. However, according to another report from The Athletic's Shams Charania soon after, there could be more to the story than that.
"The Phoenix Suns have notified Chris Paul that they intend to find a resolution this offseason that fits the veteran star and the Suns organization, which could include parting ways, league sources tell The Athletic," Charania writes.
"The Suns and Paul are exploring multiple options, league sources tell The Athletic, including a trade, waiving and stretching his contract over multiple years, or waiving and potentially re-resigning him in free agency."
Although the Suns likely are exploring all possible scenarios with Paul, trading the 38-year-old might not be as realistic as waiving him would be. "The Suns have a June 28 guarantee deadline on Paul’s $30.8 million contract. Roughly $15 million is guaranteed," the report continued.
Whether Paul is traded or waived, either outcome could potentially affect the Dallas Mavericks. The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Mavs star point guard Kyrie Irving for more than a year now, but that could change if L.A. ends up signing Paul as a free agent or trading for him. And what about the Suns wanting to trade for Irving at this year's deadline alongside Kevin Durant?
Given the new CBA rules, any Irivng sign-and-trade to another team could be complicated, especially if said team is significantly over the salary cap. But ... given Irving's reported desire to re-sign with the Mavs, and that he's apparently on the recruiting trail looking for more star talent to bring to Big D, we don't think that particular scenario involving Phoenix is something Dallas should have to worry about. Buckle up for the next few weeks as things start to get crazy around the association.
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