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Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images
Chris Paul’s future is uncertain as the Phoenix Suns point guard has a massive $ 44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season.
If he takes the free agency route or signage and commerce, keep an eye out for the Los Angeles Lakers. Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reported Wednesday that “Sources say LeBron James and the Lakers are looking for a veteran point guard, and Paul is on the list.”
Spears added that “For Paul to team up with James for the first time in his career, he would likely have to sign and trade with the Suns,” although he noted that if the veteran point guard retires he will likely sign a longer deal in Phoenix.
Spears wrote that the Lakers would also have viewed Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook as a “potential candidate” for a complicated signing and trade that would send point guard Dennis Schroder, forward Kyle Kuzma and goalkeeper Talen Horton-Tucker into the lane. ‘other way.
Such a deal would likely be the framework for bringing Paul to Los Angeles as well, although Schroder – who is set to become an unrestricted free agent – and impending restricted free agent Horton-Tucker would have to agree to join the Wizards or the Suns.
Paul was excellent for Phoenix in his first season with the team, averaging 16.4 points and 8.9 assists per game while also ending the franchise’s 10-year drought in the playoffs. Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and the Young Suns helped Paul do something he had never done in his future Hall of Fame career: reach the NBA Finals.
The Suns were unable to topple Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, losing in six games. And the Western Conference will only get tougher next year, as teams like the Lakers (Anthony Davis), Los Angeles Clippers (Kawhi Leonard), Denver Nuggets (Jamal Murray) and Golden State Warriors (Klay Thompson) recover injured stars.
Add in the already excellent Bucks and the prospect of a healthy Brooklyn Nets team with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving – and if Damian Lillard ends up forcing a trade this offseason, he could join a superstar in a new town for creating another title contender – and returning to Phoenix may not represent Paul’s best chance of winning a title.
A James, Davis and Paul trio would be hard to beat. But Paul didn’t quite look like a man who was clamoring to leave Phoenix after Tuesday’s loss in Game 6.
“Everyone in this locker room knows we have had enough, but it was not enough,” he told reporters. “So we have to find out. I think for me I’m looking at myself and wondering how I can improve, what more I could have done and make sure I come back next season ready to do it. again. “
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