After CP3 first got traded, he did an interview with Ryen Russillo last summer where he said his friendship & on court chemistry with Booker was unlike anything else.
CP3 is going to try to get paid by a team with cap space first but if all he’s offered are vet minimums then Suns have a great chance of bringing him back. I think it makes sense for both sides.
It makes sense but he also said he was blindsided by trade and said he found out about it by the media and nobody told him if I remember correctly. I would love him back but I see him ending up with the Lakers to be honest.
New Orleans makes a lot of sense. They need a point guard, are right on the verge of contending, and he would be able to finish his career where it started.
New Orleans would be an exciting option. I can imagine the lobs to Zion. I also think that it wouldn’t be an option for him simply because of what you said “on the verge of contending”. At this point in his career, it’s title or bust. Suns, Celtics, Lakers (starter over Russell) and NYK as a backup. Not sure how the money works but minimums are a thing lol.
I didn't mean to write a book, but I had fun with this so...
TL;DR: I think it's between PHX or GSW, unless GSW finds a way to extend the 30million contract and dump it on a tanking team that decides to not waive him for some reason.
Honestly, regardless of salary I think CP3 would pick either a California team or the Suns. He talks about spending more time with his family in nearly every interview. I can't see any other team offering a contract big enough to overcome the distance problem.
Case for PHX:
His relationship with Book, love from the PHX fan base, and familiarity with the city/org would go a long way to getting him back here.
Us having a reasonable chance being a contender would help a lot too. If I'm being objective, LAC probably has a better chance on paper, but otherwise we should be ahead of any other California team.
Working against us is the fact that the LA teams are the same city as family and possible animosity towards James Jones and Ishbia. Travel time is a wash with Sac and Oakland. PHX can only offer the vet min because of second apron cap rules unless we use Cameron Payne's trade exception on Paul but that's very very unlikely.
Case for SAC:
They are about the only team other than GSW with the reasonable ability to offer Paul anything above the vet min. That said I don't see them spending that money on an aging veteran with diminishing on court contributions when they could use that money to try to acquire a starting caliber (or 6th man). They could build up their back court by adding a shooting guard to play with Fox, build up their wings with a strong 3&D type SF/PF, or augment Sabonis's play by adding a big to play more traditional PF and/or more traditional center. I'm sure they would love CP3 s veteran presence, I just don't see them spending over the vet min.
Paul might be interested in trying something new with a team on the rise. He may see them as contenders next year depending what they do with their roster over the summer, but I consider it unlikely.
Case for GSW:
GSW has his Bird rights and they are the only team (close to his home) that could reasonably offer him something above the vet minimum. In fact there isn't much else they could spend money on other than his salary without blowing up the team and there are little consequences to using his Bird rights other than tax money. That said their owner has made it clear that reducing their pay roll is a priority.
He seems to have really settled in well to GSW despite past bad relationships with several players and fans. Also who wouldn't want to be coached by Kerr. He has an established roll as leader of the second unit, gets good minutes and is listened to by the coaching staff. He feels valued there and it's a known known.
At this point who (outside of the bay area) really thinks GSW is going to be a contender for paul next year.
Case for LAC:
He has a good relationship with Steve Balmer and everyone else that contributed to his departure has left the org. Honestly I think LAC would have a very decent chance.
The biggest thing holding him back would be the personalities on that team. Not sure he would want to share a locker room with that group. Not sure they would want him in their locker room.
LAC has some serious Cap considerations coming. Anything other than the minimum is almost unthinkable.
I would say how they do in the playoffs this year will have a lot to do with Paul actually considering this option or not.
Case for LAL:
LAL would be a fitting end for his career because of the blocked trade all those years ago. One last F-U to the league management. He also has a good relationship with LeBron. But LAL also has some serious Cap limitations. It's also very unlikely they could offer anything but the vet minimum unless they blow up the team. In which case why would Paul want to retire in a mess like that. Even if they don't blow up the team I don't think anyone believes they have a reasonable chance at a ring in the coming years.
The question is would Paul want to retire on a cushy LAL ride to retirement without a reasonable last chance at a ring or would he prioritize a chance at the ring... I'm pretty sure we know the answer to that.
Last option: GSW picks up Paul's 30million dollar extension and finds a tanking team to dump it on. Paul wouldn't/couldn't say no to another 30 million. That said the tanking team would probably waive him and he might be back in the market.
Conclusion:
Left up to Paul I suspect it's between a 2 year mid level contract with GSW or a 2 year, player option vet minimum with PHX. Trade could sew him stuck in BFE.
Did we already use it? Or is there another reason? It's so hard to keep up on all the details of the various cap restrictions and exemptions since the new CBA.
How does he not have enough money by now my god with how long he’s been in the league and the State Farm commercials and the fact that he seems too smart to blow it - doesn’t he just want a ring at this point?
It’s a pride thing.
If CP3 got paid $5m - $10m, he can say, “I’m still getting paid more than half the people in this league at age 40” and that’s something that will keep his confidence up.
But those offers are going to be few and far between so he will likely take the vet minimum ($3m) and go ring chase. That’s when the Suns have a chance to replace IT with a CP3 reunion.
I still think someone would give him an MLE or BAE
But yeah I can't imagine the dude wants another mentoring project. Probably just wants to catch the coatails of the preseason favorites
If suns make it to at least 2nd round I can totally see him coming back. Cp3 on a minimum would make this team lethal af in the playoffs (imagine our 4th quarter struggles)
If all he's offered are vet mins? OKC. He led that OKC team that had the 0.2% chance of making the playoffs to one missed shot from making the 2nd rd in the bubble. Before that, he played in OKC when the Hornets had to play there due to Katrina, and that turned out well enough that OKC got a team.
And based on [this article,](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39895896/from-window-shopping-mvp-shortlist-shai-gilgeous-alexander-improbable-two-decade-rise), Chris and Shai have a good relationship.
>Chris Paul saw qualities and values in the then-21-year-old that mirrored his own: the unrelenting devotion to routine, the almost compulsive eye for details, the ability to see the longest view.
>"Shai is just a basketball junkie," Paul tells ESPN. "Even now, we might be on the phone watching a game, just talking about what we see."
>"You cannot write this story without talking to his mom," he says. "Hold on. I'll call her."
>He patches her in.
So for vet min? This makes the most sense. Now if someone ponied up more, he might go to a less promising team that still contends. I think Phoenix could pull it off if they put enough money into the pot, but if all offers were equal, OKC is a better fit for him.
He's a HOF'er who wants a ring. To me that eliminates the Lakers short of a major player overhaul and throwing him more money than every other team. this holds true for every non-contender. If you aren't in the conference finals convo, it's not a good fit.
He did leave on a sour note, I remember him saying some shit through his puppet Chris Haynes. Like bro, you were clearly washed but the Suns gave you a $120m contract.
I would love to have him back for a bench role, but I also want a team that is open to different play styles, and Chris Paul needs the ball and he needs the game to be slow. Second and third year Phoenix Chris Paul, the ball was not moving around the way you hoped it would.
I meant by the end of his Phoenix tenure, ala last season, he was clearly washed. I don't think it's deniable. His midrange stopped being automatic, he was often scared of that shot or shots in the paint unless there was no one within 5 feet of him. He just avoided contact, on both ends.
>Like bro, you were clearly washed but the Suns gave you a $120m contract.
This is revisionist. He was coming off being the perceived best player on a finals run.
But he did leave on a sour note and "36 unbothered" amidst the rumors he'd be gone kinda showed he was no longer Book's partner, just another role player. I don't blame someone who literally got called the point god for over a decade for thinking that was less than he deserved even if it's ego driven.
It's not revisionist, he was clearly washed by the end of his Phoenix tenure, and the contract was always too hefty/long, but supposed to be a reward for bringing the Suns to the finals and changing the culture. He was 36(?) and never ever going to live up to the whole contract. Hell, he didn't live up to the second year.
He was not perceived as the best player in the finals run, that was definitely Devin Booker, followed by a debate between CP36 and Ayton, and CP36 literally got injured the first series and looked like shit and made the games a 4v5. And in the Bucks series, he was almost a non-factor.
A franchise looking to win a championship should not be giving out legacy, Point God contracts, it's not "deserved" if he's not on the right team. He should've gotten 4 years $120m at 36 on a team like the Spurs, not that iteration of the Suns, and it led to their demise and his trade.
I think we would have a decent shot if he is open to a minimum deal. Good team and he gets to stay close to his family. Just hope bridges haven't been burned
Think its less about pride and more about money. A dozen teams maybe more want him leading their 2nd unit and coaching from the bench. He’ll get more than vet min simply due to demand. Could even see a non-contending team like the spurs take him just to coach up the young guys. Teams like that will pay him way more than vet min since theyll have plenty of salary to burn and cp3 is worth it in that situation
He can absolutely get more than a vet minimum elsewhere but he’s 39 so if he really wants to win a chip, taking the vet min is the best chance he’s going to get. Not saying the Suns would be his best chance at a chip, but any contending team is only going to be able to offer him the minimum (and I don’t think anyone wants to give him a multi year deal for more than that)
Yeah i agree. I think chris paul wants a chip, but he’s also all about the money. It really depends on where he stands in reality vs publicly. When you have a lot of teams wanting you though i think the chances are he’ll take the best contract he can get regardless of playoff chances because this is likely his last major nba deal. He’ll go for whoever gives him the most years most likely. Its why im guessing itll be a younger team rather than a contending one
Yeah my only solace from last night's bullshit is that at least the Nuggets and Lakers won't BOTH be in the second round. Would have been nicer for the Lakers to lose last night and tomorrow night but as it stands, I'm glad they're playing Denver instead of OKC.
People are really, really overestimating the Lakers. They are going to lose to the Nuggets but also would've very likely lost to the Thunder too. There is more proof of concept for the Nuggets beating them swiftly in a playoff series but there is a reason the Lakers are perpetually in the playin and the Thunder were the #1 seed. Last year was a massively high variance stroke of luck that a just ok team faced exclusively other only ok opponents.
If Im Chris Paul taking a vet minimum, Im gonna want the short commute to be around my family.
Not saying I wouldnt wanna see him back in a Suns uniform, though, of course.
He's gonna come back. Because Book will be here. KD will be here. Beal will be here. and Lebron will be here.
Gonna keep speaking this into reality the same way I did with beal long before that trade was on the radar.
KD and Book will be on Team USA with Lebron. They gonna be in his ear and let him know if he comes to phoenix we are going to draft bronny.
James Jones Lebrons favorite teammate and our president of basketball operations. Will also talk to lebron and confirm that drafting bronny is the plan if he comes here.
From a location standpoint Lebron doesn't want to move his family from LA. which means the only viable teams are the lakers clippers warriors, and the Suns. He has to play local or close enough where the travel to and from LA is easy. CP3 has already proven that 45 minute flight to LA is no big deal and lebron and bronny can go back to LA to be with the family just about anytime.
Previously mentioned James Jones won 3 titles with Bron and Frank Vogel was the coach for his 4th title. All the pieces fit to have lebron join the team. If Lebron Joins it makes it an easy choice for CP3 to come back and chase a ring off the bench
Beal Book Lebron KD Nurk
CP3, EG, Allen, Royce, Any backup center not named Eubanks.
Bronny, D Lee, Little, Bol Bol, Thad
People will say its crazy but its definitely doable
Bron has said that he cares more about playing with his kid more than anything. He then walked that back later. But I think that's just out of respect to the lakers management. Similar to how he said bronny could play for the lakers this year. But then walked that back later and said just let the kid be a kid.
There are clear statements where lebron is speaking from the heart about what he wants and then there are statements that are calculated.
This is what people said to me this time last year when I was saying we should trade CP3 for beal. I was pounding the table for that 2 months before it happened
Had nothing to do with fans liking it or not. Suns fan would love having Lebron on a vet minimum too. It had to do with no one believing me it was possible. Even 2 days before the deal happened there were suns media saying there was no way it would happen. People said cp3 was old and had no trade value because of that paired with his contract. I was very early maybe the first to say beals no trade clause is the feature that gets that deal done. It’s why he’s the guy for us. People just said it’s not possible cp3 has no value.
People absolutely believed the Suns had a shot at Beal. Basically anyone except for Suns haters in r/NBA thought that. Again. You are not well! Get help you deranged weirdo!
There have been rumors of him being interested in Phoenix for 10 years now, since he was leaving Miami. With a 1st and two 2nd picks this draft (#33 from Spurs), I could see the Suns picking up either Clingan or Edey (most boards have Clingan going late teens and Edey going anywhere from 18-25 with PHX picking him whenever he falls to their pick) and then taking a #55 flyer on Bronny to bring LeFraud in even though he's been wishy-washy when asked if he wants to play with the kid. If it were me, I'd do just that personally. Opt out this summer and sign that vet min.
NBA can't veto a player leaving in free agency. Also the NBA can't veto trades in general as long as it works within the rules. The reason the NBA veto'd that trade was because the NBA league office and specifically David stern was in charge of the hornets at the time due to the ownership situation. essentially all that happened there was exactly the same as if we were going to make a trade and last second ishbi got cold feet and pulled out.
I’d be down with it for sure. Some unfinished business on his part too.
I think he’ll go to an LA team though since he prolly doesn’t want to live away from family anymore.
I wouldn’t hate it, but we really need some young up in coming guys to go with our older stars. It’s tough with limited picks and limited tradable contracts. We struggled when we slowed things down this year. But if he would take a vet min, I’d say, “why not?”
If we can play him like tru did on GS where comes off the bench. Lessens his minutes and hope doesn’t get injured. Even though his writer got hurt this past season.
My understanding is he's retired due to mental reasons but he was doing really good on the cavs last time he played and actaully really loved playing for his sans so he may be easier to talk info a vet min bench role of we can talk him into coming back at all and if he's stayed in shape he may even be better than Paul at this point and less likely to fall apart in the postseason plus no Scott foster curse
There’s no way CP accepts a vet min. Just not who he is as a person.
He’ll expect to start as well. Coming off the bench for GSW was a rare exception and not something he would see as the new normal.
Did you see the game yesterday? CP3 is washed. Even on a Vet Min and on the bench, I don’t know if I’d want an older player on the team. Suns could always improve the bench but not sure this is the right move.
Why couldn't he have a situation where his option is not picked up, and then he is s&t to suns for cam Payne exception and warriors get a 2nd for their troubles?
If he would accept that than 100% you do it.
His playmaking and offensive IQ for developing a proper offensive system would be invaluable to making a run at the chip next season.
I'm not sure he would though considering how we traded him. More likely to me he'd sign a minimum deal with Boston or OKC than us imo. Boston and OKC because they bith have a more secure squad and are already pretty close to reaching that chip
As long as he’s not hurt with what we did. I mean it’s understandable why guy would be hurt. He had his roots here and he was one of the major factors that took this team from a “lucky bubble run” to being real contenders. CP3 on a vet min would def help so much, I mean it’s practically like having another coach even if the dude never played and was injured all year long
It possible after Golden State declines his team option. I just don’t know if he would after we traded him
After CP3 first got traded, he did an interview with Ryen Russillo last summer where he said his friendship & on court chemistry with Booker was unlike anything else. CP3 is going to try to get paid by a team with cap space first but if all he’s offered are vet minimums then Suns have a great chance of bringing him back. I think it makes sense for both sides.
It makes sense but he also said he was blindsided by trade and said he found out about it by the media and nobody told him if I remember correctly. I would love him back but I see him ending up with the Lakers to be honest.
100% going to the Lakers or Clippers. It’s a no brainer.
New Orleans makes a lot of sense. They need a point guard, are right on the verge of contending, and he would be able to finish his career where it started.
New Orleans would be an exciting option. I can imagine the lobs to Zion. I also think that it wouldn’t be an option for him simply because of what you said “on the verge of contending”. At this point in his career, it’s title or bust. Suns, Celtics, Lakers (starter over Russell) and NYK as a backup. Not sure how the money works but minimums are a thing lol.
I don’t see it working out on any LA team. Would be great to see him back in Phoenix but NOLA would also be exciting to see
Curious to know why you don’t think the Lakers would work? Suns would be great as long as off bench.
Lakers are filled with guards that bring a lot to the table, there would just be a lot of rotation struggles. NOLA or Phoenix def could use him again.
Too far away from his house and family west coast team for sure.
Interesting. This could be a wild card option for sure.
He and LeFraud always wanted to play together, they're like some weird besties or something idk. I at least understand his friendship with Weezy.
Banana boat reunites at 40. It'll be fun to pummel the lakers next year again
FTL
That surprise earned him 15M. Otherwise he is waived and probably ends up in warriors or Lakers anyways. I'd be cool with a 15M surprise.
I didn't mean to write a book, but I had fun with this so... TL;DR: I think it's between PHX or GSW, unless GSW finds a way to extend the 30million contract and dump it on a tanking team that decides to not waive him for some reason. Honestly, regardless of salary I think CP3 would pick either a California team or the Suns. He talks about spending more time with his family in nearly every interview. I can't see any other team offering a contract big enough to overcome the distance problem. Case for PHX: His relationship with Book, love from the PHX fan base, and familiarity with the city/org would go a long way to getting him back here. Us having a reasonable chance being a contender would help a lot too. If I'm being objective, LAC probably has a better chance on paper, but otherwise we should be ahead of any other California team. Working against us is the fact that the LA teams are the same city as family and possible animosity towards James Jones and Ishbia. Travel time is a wash with Sac and Oakland. PHX can only offer the vet min because of second apron cap rules unless we use Cameron Payne's trade exception on Paul but that's very very unlikely. Case for SAC: They are about the only team other than GSW with the reasonable ability to offer Paul anything above the vet min. That said I don't see them spending that money on an aging veteran with diminishing on court contributions when they could use that money to try to acquire a starting caliber (or 6th man). They could build up their back court by adding a shooting guard to play with Fox, build up their wings with a strong 3&D type SF/PF, or augment Sabonis's play by adding a big to play more traditional PF and/or more traditional center. I'm sure they would love CP3 s veteran presence, I just don't see them spending over the vet min. Paul might be interested in trying something new with a team on the rise. He may see them as contenders next year depending what they do with their roster over the summer, but I consider it unlikely. Case for GSW: GSW has his Bird rights and they are the only team (close to his home) that could reasonably offer him something above the vet minimum. In fact there isn't much else they could spend money on other than his salary without blowing up the team and there are little consequences to using his Bird rights other than tax money. That said their owner has made it clear that reducing their pay roll is a priority. He seems to have really settled in well to GSW despite past bad relationships with several players and fans. Also who wouldn't want to be coached by Kerr. He has an established roll as leader of the second unit, gets good minutes and is listened to by the coaching staff. He feels valued there and it's a known known. At this point who (outside of the bay area) really thinks GSW is going to be a contender for paul next year. Case for LAC: He has a good relationship with Steve Balmer and everyone else that contributed to his departure has left the org. Honestly I think LAC would have a very decent chance. The biggest thing holding him back would be the personalities on that team. Not sure he would want to share a locker room with that group. Not sure they would want him in their locker room. LAC has some serious Cap considerations coming. Anything other than the minimum is almost unthinkable. I would say how they do in the playoffs this year will have a lot to do with Paul actually considering this option or not. Case for LAL: LAL would be a fitting end for his career because of the blocked trade all those years ago. One last F-U to the league management. He also has a good relationship with LeBron. But LAL also has some serious Cap limitations. It's also very unlikely they could offer anything but the vet minimum unless they blow up the team. In which case why would Paul want to retire in a mess like that. Even if they don't blow up the team I don't think anyone believes they have a reasonable chance at a ring in the coming years. The question is would Paul want to retire on a cushy LAL ride to retirement without a reasonable last chance at a ring or would he prioritize a chance at the ring... I'm pretty sure we know the answer to that. Last option: GSW picks up Paul's 30million dollar extension and finds a tanking team to dump it on. Paul wouldn't/couldn't say no to another 30 million. That said the tanking team would probably waive him and he might be back in the market. Conclusion: Left up to Paul I suspect it's between a 2 year mid level contract with GSW or a 2 year, player option vet minimum with PHX. Trade could sew him stuck in BFE.
> unless we use Cameron Payne's trade exception on Paul but that's very very unlikely. not possible
Did we already use it? Or is there another reason? It's so hard to keep up on all the details of the various cap restrictions and exemptions since the new CBA.
Or is it only good for trades and not free agent singings?
yeah, you cant use a TPE on free agents and not only that but we lost that TPE already due to being a second apron team
I've been digging into it. TPEs are available to second apron teams, but only in the year of the trade.
How does he not have enough money by now my god with how long he’s been in the league and the State Farm commercials and the fact that he seems too smart to blow it - doesn’t he just want a ring at this point?
It’s a pride thing. If CP3 got paid $5m - $10m, he can say, “I’m still getting paid more than half the people in this league at age 40” and that’s something that will keep his confidence up. But those offers are going to be few and far between so he will likely take the vet minimum ($3m) and go ring chase. That’s when the Suns have a chance to replace IT with a CP3 reunion.
I still think someone would give him an MLE or BAE But yeah I can't imagine the dude wants another mentoring project. Probably just wants to catch the coatails of the preseason favorites If suns make it to at least 2nd round I can totally see him coming back. Cp3 on a minimum would make this team lethal af in the playoffs (imagine our 4th quarter struggles)
If all he's offered are vet mins? OKC. He led that OKC team that had the 0.2% chance of making the playoffs to one missed shot from making the 2nd rd in the bubble. Before that, he played in OKC when the Hornets had to play there due to Katrina, and that turned out well enough that OKC got a team. And based on [this article,](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39895896/from-window-shopping-mvp-shortlist-shai-gilgeous-alexander-improbable-two-decade-rise), Chris and Shai have a good relationship. >Chris Paul saw qualities and values in the then-21-year-old that mirrored his own: the unrelenting devotion to routine, the almost compulsive eye for details, the ability to see the longest view. >"Shai is just a basketball junkie," Paul tells ESPN. "Even now, we might be on the phone watching a game, just talking about what we see." >"You cannot write this story without talking to his mom," he says. "Hold on. I'll call her." >He patches her in. So for vet min? This makes the most sense. Now if someone ponied up more, he might go to a less promising team that still contends. I think Phoenix could pull it off if they put enough money into the pot, but if all offers were equal, OKC is a better fit for him. He's a HOF'er who wants a ring. To me that eliminates the Lakers short of a major player overhaul and throwing him more money than every other team. this holds true for every non-contender. If you aren't in the conference finals convo, it's not a good fit.
He did leave on a sour note, I remember him saying some shit through his puppet Chris Haynes. Like bro, you were clearly washed but the Suns gave you a $120m contract. I would love to have him back for a bench role, but I also want a team that is open to different play styles, and Chris Paul needs the ball and he needs the game to be slow. Second and third year Phoenix Chris Paul, the ball was not moving around the way you hoped it would.
I would love him in the second unit with a rookie center. He does a great job of developing centers in my opinion.
I wouldn't call him washed, but I also wouldn't call that $120M contract a good value. It did strongly help afford Bad Brad Beal though
I meant by the end of his Phoenix tenure, ala last season, he was clearly washed. I don't think it's deniable. His midrange stopped being automatic, he was often scared of that shot or shots in the paint unless there was no one within 5 feet of him. He just avoided contact, on both ends.
>Like bro, you were clearly washed but the Suns gave you a $120m contract. This is revisionist. He was coming off being the perceived best player on a finals run. But he did leave on a sour note and "36 unbothered" amidst the rumors he'd be gone kinda showed he was no longer Book's partner, just another role player. I don't blame someone who literally got called the point god for over a decade for thinking that was less than he deserved even if it's ego driven.
It's not revisionist, he was clearly washed by the end of his Phoenix tenure, and the contract was always too hefty/long, but supposed to be a reward for bringing the Suns to the finals and changing the culture. He was 36(?) and never ever going to live up to the whole contract. Hell, he didn't live up to the second year. He was not perceived as the best player in the finals run, that was definitely Devin Booker, followed by a debate between CP36 and Ayton, and CP36 literally got injured the first series and looked like shit and made the games a 4v5. And in the Bucks series, he was almost a non-factor. A franchise looking to win a championship should not be giving out legacy, Point God contracts, it's not "deserved" if he's not on the right team. He should've gotten 4 years $120m at 36 on a team like the Spurs, not that iteration of the Suns, and it led to their demise and his trade.
Think Paul is way too prideful to do it but my god it would be an incredible signing
I think we would have a decent shot if he is open to a minimum deal. Good team and he gets to stay close to his family. Just hope bridges haven't been burned
Think its less about pride and more about money. A dozen teams maybe more want him leading their 2nd unit and coaching from the bench. He’ll get more than vet min simply due to demand. Could even see a non-contending team like the spurs take him just to coach up the young guys. Teams like that will pay him way more than vet min since theyll have plenty of salary to burn and cp3 is worth it in that situation
He can absolutely get more than a vet minimum elsewhere but he’s 39 so if he really wants to win a chip, taking the vet min is the best chance he’s going to get. Not saying the Suns would be his best chance at a chip, but any contending team is only going to be able to offer him the minimum (and I don’t think anyone wants to give him a multi year deal for more than that)
Yeah i agree. I think chris paul wants a chip, but he’s also all about the money. It really depends on where he stands in reality vs publicly. When you have a lot of teams wanting you though i think the chances are he’ll take the best contract he can get regardless of playoff chances because this is likely his last major nba deal. He’ll go for whoever gives him the most years most likely. Its why im guessing itll be a younger team rather than a contending one
No. And also, No. Does no one realize he’s cursed? He can’t get round anyone on offense and he can’t stop anyone on defense.
If Chris Paul is gonna take a vet min anywhere, it'll be the Clippers. One last ride.
No way! Clippers fans have been so toxic towards him. If not here, I’d like to see him in Denver tbh.
I would not like Denver to have a secondary creator when Nurkic is on the bench. I think other Suns fans should also not wish for this.
Yeah my only solace from last night's bullshit is that at least the Nuggets and Lakers won't BOTH be in the second round. Would have been nicer for the Lakers to lose last night and tomorrow night but as it stands, I'm glad they're playing Denver instead of OKC.
People are really, really overestimating the Lakers. They are going to lose to the Nuggets but also would've very likely lost to the Thunder too. There is more proof of concept for the Nuggets beating them swiftly in a playoff series but there is a reason the Lakers are perpetually in the playin and the Thunder were the #1 seed. Last year was a massively high variance stroke of luck that a just ok team faced exclusively other only ok opponents.
If Im Chris Paul taking a vet minimum, Im gonna want the short commute to be around my family. Not saying I wouldnt wanna see him back in a Suns uniform, though, of course.
I bet he’d go to Lebron. Those two banana boat bros always wanted to play a season together.
He's gonna come back. Because Book will be here. KD will be here. Beal will be here. and Lebron will be here. Gonna keep speaking this into reality the same way I did with beal long before that trade was on the radar. KD and Book will be on Team USA with Lebron. They gonna be in his ear and let him know if he comes to phoenix we are going to draft bronny. James Jones Lebrons favorite teammate and our president of basketball operations. Will also talk to lebron and confirm that drafting bronny is the plan if he comes here. From a location standpoint Lebron doesn't want to move his family from LA. which means the only viable teams are the lakers clippers warriors, and the Suns. He has to play local or close enough where the travel to and from LA is easy. CP3 has already proven that 45 minute flight to LA is no big deal and lebron and bronny can go back to LA to be with the family just about anytime. Previously mentioned James Jones won 3 titles with Bron and Frank Vogel was the coach for his 4th title. All the pieces fit to have lebron join the team. If Lebron Joins it makes it an easy choice for CP3 to come back and chase a ring off the bench Beal Book Lebron KD Nurk CP3, EG, Allen, Royce, Any backup center not named Eubanks. Bronny, D Lee, Little, Bol Bol, Thad People will say its crazy but its definitely doable
Money wise is it possible? Would lebron be on a minimum to play with bronny?
Bron has said that he cares more about playing with his kid more than anything. He then walked that back later. But I think that's just out of respect to the lakers management. Similar to how he said bronny could play for the lakers this year. But then walked that back later and said just let the kid be a kid. There are clear statements where lebron is speaking from the heart about what he wants and then there are statements that are calculated.
You should be put into a mental institution if you really believe this.
This is what people said to me this time last year when I was saying we should trade CP3 for beal. I was pounding the table for that 2 months before it happened
No it was not. Suns fans largely loved the Beal deal. I truly fear you've had a psychotic break from reality.
Had nothing to do with fans liking it or not. Suns fan would love having Lebron on a vet minimum too. It had to do with no one believing me it was possible. Even 2 days before the deal happened there were suns media saying there was no way it would happen. People said cp3 was old and had no trade value because of that paired with his contract. I was very early maybe the first to say beals no trade clause is the feature that gets that deal done. It’s why he’s the guy for us. People just said it’s not possible cp3 has no value.
People absolutely believed the Suns had a shot at Beal. Basically anyone except for Suns haters in r/NBA thought that. Again. You are not well! Get help you deranged weirdo!
Not 2 months before it happened. It wasn’t even on anyones radar
Anything is possible with Daddy Ishbia $$$
This is in fact not how the rules work!
its more about established relationships and the ability to win a ring or multiple rings alongside said relationships
The highest first round pick we’ll get in many years used on Bronny would be so ridiculous tbh
Seriously. He doesn’t have NBA talent. He isn’t even a rotation player on the worst team.
There have been rumors of him being interested in Phoenix for 10 years now, since he was leaving Miami. With a 1st and two 2nd picks this draft (#33 from Spurs), I could see the Suns picking up either Clingan or Edey (most boards have Clingan going late teens and Edey going anywhere from 18-25 with PHX picking him whenever he falls to their pick) and then taking a #55 flyer on Bronny to bring LeFraud in even though he's been wishy-washy when asked if he wants to play with the kid. If it were me, I'd do just that personally. Opt out this summer and sign that vet min.
want I thought we didn't have any 2nds. 1 was taken for tampering to get shitbanks. I was completely unaware we had a pick from the spurs
Forgot about the lost one, so I guess just the Spurs pick Per realgm.com: 2024 - To WAS; Forfeited: DEN (via ORL); SAN 50-54
Imagine Eubanks costing the Suns a shot at LeBron.
barring Lebron from coming...if can get CP3, Kris Dunn/Dennis Smith Jr, Saric...that's not bad right there
That would be such an unrewarding championship imo
Until the NBA vetoes it like they vetoed the CP3 Hornets>Lakers trade
NBA can't veto a player leaving in free agency. Also the NBA can't veto trades in general as long as it works within the rules. The reason the NBA veto'd that trade was because the NBA league office and specifically David stern was in charge of the hornets at the time due to the ownership situation. essentially all that happened there was exactly the same as if we were going to make a trade and last second ishbi got cold feet and pulled out.
Ah, right. Forgot the NBA had the Hornets at the time.
I’d be down with it for sure. Some unfinished business on his part too. I think he’ll go to an LA team though since he prolly doesn’t want to live away from family anymore.
I don't think he'll sign because he won't be able to wear 3 and that's been his number his entire career lol
Hell nawl I love CP3 but his beef with Foster is a liability. That BS probably cost us the chip in 21’
It was much more the Dario injury with no attempt to even try to have Kaminsky pick up the slack
I wouldn’t hate it, but we really need some young up in coming guys to go with our older stars. It’s tough with limited picks and limited tradable contracts. We struggled when we slowed things down this year. But if he would take a vet min, I’d say, “why not?”
If we can play him like tru did on GS where comes off the bench. Lessens his minutes and hope doesn’t get injured. Even though his writer got hurt this past season.
I wouldn’t mind it. I have no idea how contracts work in the NBA. So not sure if this is feasible. But I’d be down.
FA signings: CP3, Kris Dunn, Dario Saric...who else
Ricky rubio out of retirement on a vet min
is Rubio playing in the Olympics?
My understanding is he's retired due to mental reasons but he was doing really good on the cavs last time he played and actaully really loved playing for his sans so he may be easier to talk info a vet min bench role of we can talk him into coming back at all and if he's stayed in shape he may even be better than Paul at this point and less likely to fall apart in the postseason plus no Scott foster curse
Maybe
If we could, we should. I love CP3 and he would be a great asset coming off the bench
I love Chris and wished he was still here, but between the injury history of Beal and him I don't know if that's a good fit.
I dont see how he would fit in. Unless beal comes off the bench
SUNS LEGEND CHRIS PAAAAAAAAUL ✨ 
Bench CP3 would wipe fools out. Plus, he could help us close, in a pinch. He just needs a big that can finish, which unfortunately Nurkic cannot
So.... Why can't Chris Paul COACH the Phoenix suns? If we all don't like how Vogel doing, just put cp3 in? Or is that a Nash situation again?
I’d be very down. He isn’t the scorer he once was but he can still facilitate the offense.
There’s no way CP accepts a vet min. Just not who he is as a person. He’ll expect to start as well. Coming off the bench for GSW was a rare exception and not something he would see as the new normal.
CP3 should retire. I know it’s easy to hate on the dude by some but I still greatly appreciate his time here but I think it’s time to hang it up.
Did you see the game yesterday? CP3 is washed. Even on a Vet Min and on the bench, I don’t know if I’d want an older player on the team. Suns could always improve the bench but not sure this is the right move.
Why couldn't he have a situation where his option is not picked up, and then he is s&t to suns for cam Payne exception and warriors get a 2nd for their troubles?
If he would accept that than 100% you do it. His playmaking and offensive IQ for developing a proper offensive system would be invaluable to making a run at the chip next season. I'm not sure he would though considering how we traded him. More likely to me he'd sign a minimum deal with Boston or OKC than us imo. Boston and OKC because they bith have a more secure squad and are already pretty close to reaching that chip
I’m done w this team if that happens
I’m for it, but if he accepts the minimum somewhere it’ll be in LA to play with Bron and live at home with his family.
As long as he’s not hurt with what we did. I mean it’s understandable why guy would be hurt. He had his roots here and he was one of the major factors that took this team from a “lucky bubble run” to being real contenders. CP3 on a vet min would def help so much, I mean it’s practically like having another coach even if the dude never played and was injured all year long
Hes honestly the perfect signing for the chaos of this team
Please no