Chris Paul might not be done in Phoenix yet.
Despite a recent report that the Phoenix Suns plan to waive the veteran point guard ahead of his contract guarantee date, Paul hopes to stay with the team.
“Absolutely,” Paul said Thursday, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “That’s why I’m there.”
If the Suns waive Paul before June 28, they’ll only owe him $15.8 million rather than $30.8 million for the 2023-24 season. The final year of Paul’s deal, the 2024-25 campaign, is non-guaranteed.
Paul remains on the Suns’ roster and the team is “exploring” options that include waiving him, sources told Rankin.
“I’ve talked with my family – we’ve had conversations about what could be, what might be,” Paul said. “I’ve talked with my agent. Talked to my brother.”
If the Suns waive him, Paul would still be eligible to return to Phoenix on a deal that takes up part of its $12.2-million mid-level exception, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Paul, 38, spent the last three seasons with the Suns, making All-Star appearances in his first two years with the team. He helped the Suns make the Finals in 2021, marking their first Finals appearance since 1993.
Phoenix was eliminated by eventual champions the Denver Nuggets 4-2 in the second round of the 2023 playoffs. Paul missed the final four games of the series due to a groin injury.
The 12-time All-Star averaged a career-low 13.9 points and 8.9 assists last season.
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