Why are Suns waiving Chris Paul? Exploring the reason behind the franchise's decision
News recently broke that the Phoenix Suns plan to waive Chris Paul, making him a free agent this summer. With the offseason still a few weeks away, the front office is already making major changes.
BREAKING: Phoenix Suns have notified star Chris Paul that he will be waived, making the future Hall of Famer one of the top free agents this offseason, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
This move isn't totally shocking as Chris Paul's name was being floated around in trade rumors. After making a big splash in trading for Kevin Durant this season, it's clear the Phoenix Suns are trying to maximize their title window.
Part of why the Suns opted to waive Paul is because of how his contract was set up. The final two years of his four-year, $120 million contract were not fully guaranteed, leaving Phoenix on the hook for less money. Of that 120 million, only $75 million is fully guaranteed.
Chris Paul spent the past three seasons with Suns, and helped them reached the NBA Finals in 2021. The 38 year old point guard played in 59 games this season and averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists per game.
Following this rather shocking move, the future Hall of Fame point guard will hit the open market and try to find a new home this summer.
What teams make sense for Chris Paul in free agency?
Now that the Phoenix Suns are waiving Chris Paul, the debate shifts to what teams make sense for him in free agency. Even though he is in his late 30s, he can still be an impact player in the right situation.
The first team that many have talked about as a landing spot for Paul is the LA Lakers. D'Angelo Russell is a free agent this summer, so they'll be in the market for a point guard. It's also worth noting that the 12-time All-Star is good friends with LeBron James.
Another team that could be worth mentioning is the Minnesota Timberwolves. Their point guard right now is Mike Conley, and he too has a partially guaranteed deal for next season.
From a fit standpoint, Paul makes a lot of sense for the Timberwolves. They need a good veteran with extensive experience to help take them to the next level.
Plus, his playmaking ability should help get the most out of Rudy Gobert on the offensive end. Most importantly, Paul can be a mentor to Anthony Edwards as he gets closer to his prime.
Paul's days of a big contract might be over, but that doesn't mean there won't be a good amount of interest around the league for him this summer.