The Phoenix Suns reportedly plan to release veteran point guard Chris Paul. According to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Paul has already been notified of the Suns’ decision.

Haynes adds that the 38-year-old Paul isn’t thinking about retirement and “plans to play for several more years and is eager to help a team contend for a championship.”

This would be a surprising decision in different circumstances, but it has become clear that the new Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia is not afraid to take big swings since he bought the franchise earlier this year. Ishbia pushed for the acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant ahead of the trade deadline, fired respected head coach Monty Williams, and is now moving from one of the Suns’ key players in recent seasons.

Chris Paul joined the Suns ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season in a trade from Oklahoma City Thunder and has been credited for helping transform an underachieving franchise into a championship contender. He was an All-Star in his first two seasons in Phoenix and played a crucial road in the team’s road to NBA Finals in 2021.

However, Paul has been a shadow of himself this season, averaging a career-low 13.9 points per game during the regular season. He also underperformed in the playoffs as the Suns bowed out in the second round to eventual Western Conference champions Denver Nuggets.

Despite his recent struggles, there is no doubt that teams will line up to sign Paul this offseason. One of the possibilities is his joining the Los Angeles Lakers, a team in need of a proven playmaker, where he would join forces with his close friend LeBron James.

The post Suns Plan to Release Veteran Point Guard Chris Paul appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although Chris Paul started the 2019/20 NBA season with Oklahoma City Thunder, no one really expects him to finish it there. Paul is a veteran interested in competing for the title, while Thunder are a rebuilding team that are far from contention.

Now, Thunder has always intended to deal Paul since acquiring him from Houston Rockets in a trade that sent Russell Westbrook in the opposite direction. For a longtime, Miami Heat seemed like the most likely option, but it seems like the veteran point guard has other plans.

According to The Ringer‘s Ryen Russillo, Paul would like to join the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I had heard he wanted to go to Milwaukee,” – Russillo told Adrian Wojnarowski during his appearance on The Woj Pod. “Of course you’d want to go play with Giannis.”

While you can’t blame Chris Paul for wanting to go and play for the talented Milwaukee team, it’s highly unlikely that Bucks would be interested in bringing in a veteran player on such a big contract. Paul will earn $38.5 million this season, and is scheduled to make $41.3 million next year while also having a player option for $44.2 million in 2021-22.

Considering the fact that Bucks decided to let Malcolm Brogdon go instead of giving him a max and entering the luxury tax makes the possibility of them taking on Paul’s giant deal very slim.

In the meantime, Paul is with the OKC, where he will try to show that he can still play quality basketball even at age 34. In the four games he played with Thunder this season, Paul averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals.

The post Chris Paul Reportedly Wants to Play For the Bucks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It seems like point guard Chris Paul is staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the time being. Although Thunder explored trade options for Paul in the recent days, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the 34-year-old will start the season with OKC after all.

After Thunder acquire Paul in a trade that sent All-Star Russell Westbrook to Houston  Rockets, the organization began working with the player and his representatives in order to find a suitable trade for both sides. However, as the most NBA teams lost flexibility due to free agency deals, getting the deal done became highly unlikely.

Considering these circumstances, both Chris Paul and Oklahoma City agreed that it would be better to wait until December 15th when NBA teams can trade players they’ve signed this offseason. Another problem the Thunder faced during the talks was that Paul’s big contract which pays him $124 million in the next three years.

It is also possible that Paul plays out 2019/20 NBA season with the Thunder as the organization believes he could provide valuable mentorship to their young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Paul played 58 games with the Rockets this past season, averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post Thunder Unlikely to Trade Chris Paul Before the Start of the Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although it seems that a breakup between Chris Paul and Houston Rockets is imminent, the two sides might end up patching things up. Paul recently spoke with the media and said that he will stay in Houston for the next season and is “very happy” about it.

Several media reported last week that the relationship between Paul and the rest of the Rockets has been troubling and that the 34-year-old point guard asked for a trade. He, however, denies making such a request.

“I never asked for a trade,” – said Paul said. “I never demanded a trade.”

“I’ll be in Houston,” – he added. “I’m happy about that. I’m very happy about that. I’m good.”

According to sources close to the situation, Chris Paul has been discontent with the way his co-star James Harden has been playing. While Paul was pushing for more designed plays and sets in the postseason, Harden relied on iso-basketball. Rockets elimination in the Western Conference semi-finals ended up making an already tense relationship even tenser.

The issue for the Rockets is that they would face tons of difficulties even if they wanted to trade Paul. He still has $124 million over three years left on his contract, which combined with his advanced age and declining play makes him a tough asset to move on.

Paul finished the regular season with a career-low 15.6 points per game, while also adding 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post Chris Paul Denies Making a Trade Request: “I’ll Be in Houston” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although no one is currently safe on the Houston Rockets’ roster, it looks like the team’s general manager, Daryl Morey, is set on moving Chris Paul.

While this might be easier said than done, considering his team-unfriendly three years, $124 million contract, Paul reportedly still has some suitors around the league.

According to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks might get involved in talks with the Rockets about Paul in case that they strike out in a free agency. Lakers and the Knicks are banking that they will attract at least one superstar free agent this summer, but they could easily end with none.

Both franchises could also get into a bidding war with Boston Celtics for New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, which also might not turn out the way they would wish.

Deveney reports that by targeting Chris Paul, who is considered first-ballot Hall of Famer, both teams would aim towards “face-saving trade” that could rescue their summer and get them back to relevancy.

Besides Lakers and the Knicks, there are several other teams that could get involved into trade talks with Rockets over Paul including Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. The Suns are reportedly a “wild-card” as they are still weighing in whether the 34-year-old veteran would fit with their young core.

Paul played 58 regular season games with Houston this season, averaging  15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.

The post Lakers and Knicks Reportedly Interested in Chris Paul appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Phoenix Suns reportedly plan to release veteran point guard Chris Paul. According to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, Paul has already been notified of the Suns’ decision.

Haynes adds that the 38-year-old Paul isn’t thinking about retirement and “plans to play for several more years and is eager to help a team contend for a championship.”

This would be a surprising decision in different circumstances, but it has become clear that the new Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia is not afraid to take big swings since he bought the franchise earlier this year. Ishbia pushed for the acquisition of superstar Kevin Durant ahead of the trade deadline, fired respected head coach Monty Williams, and is now moving from one of the Suns’ key players in recent seasons.

Chris Paul joined the Suns ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season in a trade from Oklahoma City Thunder and has been credited for helping transform an underachieving franchise into a championship contender. He was an All-Star in his first two seasons in Phoenix and played a crucial road in the team’s road to NBA Finals in 2021.

However, Paul has been a shadow of himself this season, averaging a career-low 13.9 points per game during the regular season. He also underperformed in the playoffs as the Suns bowed out in the second round to eventual Western Conference champions Denver Nuggets.

Despite his recent struggles, there is no doubt that teams will line up to sign Paul this offseason. One of the possibilities is his joining the Los Angeles Lakers, a team in need of a proven playmaker, where he would join forces with his close friend LeBron James.

The post Suns Plan to Release Veteran Point Guard Chris Paul appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although Chris Paul started the 2019/20 NBA season with Oklahoma City Thunder, no one really expects him to finish it there. Paul is a veteran interested in competing for the title, while Thunder are a rebuilding team that are far from contention.

Now, Thunder has always intended to deal Paul since acquiring him from Houston Rockets in a trade that sent Russell Westbrook in the opposite direction. For a longtime, Miami Heat seemed like the most likely option, but it seems like the veteran point guard has other plans.

According to The Ringer‘s Ryen Russillo, Paul would like to join the reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I had heard he wanted to go to Milwaukee,” – Russillo told Adrian Wojnarowski during his appearance on The Woj Pod. “Of course you’d want to go play with Giannis.”

While you can’t blame Chris Paul for wanting to go and play for the talented Milwaukee team, it’s highly unlikely that Bucks would be interested in bringing in a veteran player on such a big contract. Paul will earn $38.5 million this season, and is scheduled to make $41.3 million next year while also having a player option for $44.2 million in 2021-22.

Considering the fact that Bucks decided to let Malcolm Brogdon go instead of giving him a max and entering the luxury tax makes the possibility of them taking on Paul’s giant deal very slim.

In the meantime, Paul is with the OKC, where he will try to show that he can still play quality basketball even at age 34. In the four games he played with Thunder this season, Paul averaged 13.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals.

The post Chris Paul Reportedly Wants to Play For the Bucks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

It seems like point guard Chris Paul is staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the time being. Although Thunder explored trade options for Paul in the recent days, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the 34-year-old will start the season with OKC after all.

After Thunder acquire Paul in a trade that sent All-Star Russell Westbrook to Houston  Rockets, the organization began working with the player and his representatives in order to find a suitable trade for both sides. However, as the most NBA teams lost flexibility due to free agency deals, getting the deal done became highly unlikely.

Considering these circumstances, both Chris Paul and Oklahoma City agreed that it would be better to wait until December 15th when NBA teams can trade players they’ve signed this offseason. Another problem the Thunder faced during the talks was that Paul’s big contract which pays him $124 million in the next three years.

It is also possible that Paul plays out 2019/20 NBA season with the Thunder as the organization believes he could provide valuable mentorship to their young guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Paul played 58 games with the Rockets this past season, averaging 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post Thunder Unlikely to Trade Chris Paul Before the Start of the Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although it seems that a breakup between Chris Paul and Houston Rockets is imminent, the two sides might end up patching things up. Paul recently spoke with the media and said that he will stay in Houston for the next season and is “very happy” about it.

Several media reported last week that the relationship between Paul and the rest of the Rockets has been troubling and that the 34-year-old point guard asked for a trade. He, however, denies making such a request.

“I never asked for a trade,” – said Paul said. “I never demanded a trade.”

“I’ll be in Houston,” – he added. “I’m happy about that. I’m very happy about that. I’m good.”

According to sources close to the situation, Chris Paul has been discontent with the way his co-star James Harden has been playing. While Paul was pushing for more designed plays and sets in the postseason, Harden relied on iso-basketball. Rockets elimination in the Western Conference semi-finals ended up making an already tense relationship even tenser.

The issue for the Rockets is that they would face tons of difficulties even if they wanted to trade Paul. He still has $124 million over three years left on his contract, which combined with his advanced age and declining play makes him a tough asset to move on.

Paul finished the regular season with a career-low 15.6 points per game, while also adding 4.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post Chris Paul Denies Making a Trade Request: “I’ll Be in Houston” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Although no one is currently safe on the Houston Rockets’ roster, it looks like the team’s general manager, Daryl Morey, is set on moving Chris Paul.

While this might be easier said than done, considering his team-unfriendly three years, $124 million contract, Paul reportedly still has some suitors around the league.

According to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks might get involved in talks with the Rockets about Paul in case that they strike out in a free agency. Lakers and the Knicks are banking that they will attract at least one superstar free agent this summer, but they could easily end with none.

Both franchises could also get into a bidding war with Boston Celtics for New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, which also might not turn out the way they would wish.

Deveney reports that by targeting Chris Paul, who is considered first-ballot Hall of Famer, both teams would aim towards “face-saving trade” that could rescue their summer and get them back to relevancy.

Besides Lakers and the Knicks, there are several other teams that could get involved into trade talks with Rockets over Paul including Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. The Suns are reportedly a “wild-card” as they are still weighing in whether the 34-year-old veteran would fit with their young core.

Paul played 58 regular season games with Houston this season, averaging  15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.

The post Lakers and Knicks Reportedly Interested in Chris Paul appeared first on SportzBonanza.