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Chris Paul has chosen to decline his $ 44.2 million player option with the Phoenix Suns for the 2021-22 NBA season, Shams Charania of Athletic and Stadium reported Sunday.
The Suns were well aware that the 36-year-old, 11-time All-Star’s decision to enter free agency or not would set the tone for a pivotal offseason. Join and Paul joins their promising young nucleus in a resounding endorsement of their surprising final run, likely with a hefty two-year contract extension looming. Step back, and he’s putting enormous pressure on Phoenix owner Robert Sarver to meet his demands for a return.
Paul is limited to a three-year contract window due to the NBA’s “over 38” rule.
The Suns acquired Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder last offseason for a 2022 first-round pick and unwanted contracts. He enjoyed a second straight resurgence season after a downturn in his career. Paul averaged 16.4 points (over 50/40/93 shooting divisions), 8.9 assists against 2.2 turnovers and 4.5 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game in his debut season with Phoenix, winning All-NBA second team honors.
He reunited with Monty Williams, his former coach in New Orleans, and together they were instrumental in the development of rising Suns stars Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. The partnership produced the Suns’ first playoff appearance since 2010, and Paul’s playoff performance saw victories against the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers. His 41 points in a closing game of the Western Conference Finals were the crowning glory of a legend, tying Paul’s career arc to Phoenix.
After Thursday’s draft, when the Suns traded reserve Jevon Carter and the No.29 pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Landry Shamet, general manager James Jones reiterated his faith in the mutual benefit of both parties and expressed confidence. that they would find common ground to “make everyone happy.”
On the local radio show “Burns & Gambo”, Sarver was less confident. He hasn’t openly endorsed Paul’s return, telling the future Hall of Famer at the end of the season: “You’ve only been in the organization for nine months, so there’s really not a lot of going on. story here, but from a team perspective, It was my best season in 17 years and it was your best season in 16 years, so there is really a lot to keep us together. “
Pressed on the matter, Sarver said “there is probably” another team willing to pay for Paul’s services, and “there is probably” a potential obstacle to securing the return of the fifth-place MVP candidate to Phoenix.
Sarver suggested he was willing to pay luxury taxes to keep fighting for a championship. How much remains a question, as he shed the strengths of the Suns’ last great teams to avoid too big a bill in the late 2000s. Over the next decade, Phoenix became the laughing stock – until that Paul legitimizes the franchise.
Paul’s decision isn’t the only one impacting the Suns’ bottom line this offseason. Ayton and Bridges are due for rookie extensions, respectively in the max contract and in the $ 100 million range through 2027. Along with Booker’s max deal, the payroll may lead to escalating tax penalties for repeaters for years to come.
It’s worth it if Phoenix replicates its final campaign, but it’s not easy, either. The NBA is bursting with talent, especially in the West, where Phoenix knows better than anyone how difficult it is to make the playoffs.
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Ben Rohrbach is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Do you have any advice? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @brohrbach
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