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.

The Phoenix Suns are facing a daunting task in their Western Conference semi-final series against the Denver Nuggets. Not only do they have to climb out of a 0-2 hole, but they will also have to do it without their starting point guard Chris Paul.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Paul is dealing with a groin injury that will keep him out for at least one week. Reportedly, the Suns expect the 37-year-old to miss Game 3, Game 4, and Game 5 of the Nuggets’ series.

Paul likely got hurt during the third quarter of a 97-87 loss in Game 2 against the Nuggets. The veteran exited the game with less than five minutes remaining in the period and didn’t return. Phoenix confirmed that the player is dealing with a groin injury on Tuesday but is officially considering him day to day.

Chris Paul is currently averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game in the 2022-23 playoffs. While the Suns probably won’t have issues replacing his scoring output, they are expected to have a hard time without Paul’s playmaking and defense. Cameron Payne, who recently returned from an injury, is expected to be the starter until Paul is able to return.

The Suns will play the Nuggets in Game 3 on Friday night in their Footprint Center.

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The Phoenix Suns’ veteran point guard Chris Paul continues to rise on NBA’s All-Time lists. His latest move came in a 116-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, when he passed Michael Jordan as the player with the third-most steals in the history of the league.

Paul recorded four steals in the Clippers’ game, getting his total to 2,515 career steals compared to Jordan’s 2,514. The 37-year-old player is now only behind Jason Kidd (2,684), and John Stockton (3,265) on NBA’s All-Time Steals Leaders list.

Ever since he entered the league as a fourth overall pick in 2005, Chris Paul has been a menace in creating turnovers. He averaged 2.2 steals per game in his rookie season and went on to lead the league in steals on six occasions.

Paul had more than two steals per game on average in 11 of his 17 seasons in the league and never averaged less than 1.4 as a pro. Even at the age of 37, he is averaging 1.6 steals per contest, which is enough for the 12th-best in the entire league in 2022-23.

While his feel for steals remained on a high level this season, Paul has taken a step back in other aspects of his game. He is averaging career-low 13.7 points per game, while his 42.6 percent from the field is the second-worst mark in his career.

The post Suns’ Chris Paul Passes Michael Jordan to Move Into Top 3 of NBA’s All-Time Steals List appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The moment wasn’t too big for Chris Paul as he stepped on the court for his first career NBA Finals on Tuesday night. Instead, the 36-year-old veteran rose to the occasion and led his Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 win over Milwaukee Bucks and a 1-0 lead in the finals series.

Paul delivered an impressive performance against the Bucks, leading both teams in scoring with 32 points while adding nine assists and four rebounds. He especially came up big in the third quarter, when he scored half of his points while shooting 6 out of 7 from the floor and making all three attempts behind the arc.

While Chris Paul already compiled a Hall of Fame-worthy career, he never managed to reach the NBA Finals due to a combination of injuries, bad breaks, and tough opponents. He now has a chance to go all the way and cement his legacy while also bringing the Suns their first title in the history of the franchise.

But while the odds are in Phoenix’s favor, Paul knows that the things are far from over.

“We’ve been building all season long for these moments,” said Paul after the game. “We’re going to keep playing. This is just one game. We’ve got to stay locked in.”

Game 1 also saw All-Star Devin Booker scoring 27 points to go with six assists and three steals for the Suns, while DeAndre Ayton had a monster double-double with 22 points and 19 rebounds.

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 17 rebounds for Milwaukee, playing in his first game since suffering a knee injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez added 29 points and 17 points, respectively.

The NBA Finals will remain in Phoenix for Game 2, which is scheduled for Thursday night.

The post Chris Paul Scores 32 Points to Give Suns the Lead in 2021 NBA Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran guard Chris Paul isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind and call out his team when he thinks there’s a need for it. That was the case when his Phoenix Suns suffered a 97-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and extended their winless run to three games.

“We’re not playing well enough right now,” Paul told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re not good enough, but we’re not playing well enough right now.”

The Suns had a 15-point lead after the first quarter but struggled after that and surrendered the lead at halftime. They gave OKC a run for their money in the second period but couldn’t complete a comeback.

Paul himself had a prolific night, scoring a season-high 32 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. However, he didn’t have the backing of his teammates, with only two other Phoenix players scoring in double digits. The Thunder, on the other side, had six players with 10 or more points.

“We play in spurts,” Paul added. “We’ve gotta respect who we’re playing against. Every night. Respect the opponent. “

Phoenix Suns opened 2020-season 21 with a great run, and it appeared that the offseason addition of Chris Paul could lead them to being competitive in the West after years of lottery finishes. But the Suns have now fallen to an 8-8 record, with five losses in the last six games, and need a quick turnaround if they don’t want to let their season slip away.

The post Suns’ Chris Paul: “We’re Not Playing Well Enough Right Now” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a blockbuster deal on Tuesday which will see future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul move west.

The teams agreed to a mega-deal which will see Chris Paul move from the Thunder along with F Abdel Nader to the Suns in exchange for Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick.

This move is a clear sign that the Suns are looking to contend in the 2020-21 season and that they have real ambitions to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

Phoenix acquires one of the best point guards in the league who, at the age of 34 averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 assists per game along with excellent efficiency.

The Thunder, on the other hand, will look to retool and rebuild for the future with the package that they acquired in the deal. Oubre and the 2022 first-round pick are the biggest pieces in the deal, with the Thunder acquiring one of the league’s bright young talents. Oubre averaged 18.7 points per game last season.

Rubio looks set to fill in for Paul as the team’s starting point guard, while Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque are young players who saw minimal playing time for Phoenix last year.

This trade should have a huge impact in the Western Conference race and could signal the Suns’ return to playoff and title contention.

The post Suns, Thunder Agree to Blockbuster Chris Paul Trade 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.

The Phoenix Suns are facing a daunting task in their Western Conference semi-final series against the Denver Nuggets. Not only do they have to climb out of a 0-2 hole, but they will also have to do it without their starting point guard Chris Paul.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Paul is dealing with a groin injury that will keep him out for at least one week. Reportedly, the Suns expect the 37-year-old to miss Game 3, Game 4, and Game 5 of the Nuggets’ series.

Paul likely got hurt during the third quarter of a 97-87 loss in Game 2 against the Nuggets. The veteran exited the game with less than five minutes remaining in the period and didn’t return. Phoenix confirmed that the player is dealing with a groin injury on Tuesday but is officially considering him day to day.

Chris Paul is currently averaging 12.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game in the 2022-23 playoffs. While the Suns probably won’t have issues replacing his scoring output, they are expected to have a hard time without Paul’s playmaking and defense. Cameron Payne, who recently returned from an injury, is expected to be the starter until Paul is able to return.

The Suns will play the Nuggets in Game 3 on Friday night in their Footprint Center.

The post Suns’ Chris Paul Expected to Miss at Least 1 Week With a Groin Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Phoenix Suns’ veteran point guard Chris Paul continues to rise on NBA’s All-Time lists. His latest move came in a 116-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, when he passed Michael Jordan as the player with the third-most steals in the history of the league.

Paul recorded four steals in the Clippers’ game, getting his total to 2,515 career steals compared to Jordan’s 2,514. The 37-year-old player is now only behind Jason Kidd (2,684), and John Stockton (3,265) on NBA’s All-Time Steals Leaders list.

Ever since he entered the league as a fourth overall pick in 2005, Chris Paul has been a menace in creating turnovers. He averaged 2.2 steals per game in his rookie season and went on to lead the league in steals on six occasions.

Paul had more than two steals per game on average in 11 of his 17 seasons in the league and never averaged less than 1.4 as a pro. Even at the age of 37, he is averaging 1.6 steals per contest, which is enough for the 12th-best in the entire league in 2022-23.

While his feel for steals remained on a high level this season, Paul has taken a step back in other aspects of his game. He is averaging career-low 13.7 points per game, while his 42.6 percent from the field is the second-worst mark in his career.

The post Suns’ Chris Paul Passes Michael Jordan to Move Into Top 3 of NBA’s All-Time Steals List appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The moment wasn’t too big for Chris Paul as he stepped on the court for his first career NBA Finals on Tuesday night. Instead, the 36-year-old veteran rose to the occasion and led his Phoenix Suns to a 118-105 win over Milwaukee Bucks and a 1-0 lead in the finals series.

Paul delivered an impressive performance against the Bucks, leading both teams in scoring with 32 points while adding nine assists and four rebounds. He especially came up big in the third quarter, when he scored half of his points while shooting 6 out of 7 from the floor and making all three attempts behind the arc.

While Chris Paul already compiled a Hall of Fame-worthy career, he never managed to reach the NBA Finals due to a combination of injuries, bad breaks, and tough opponents. He now has a chance to go all the way and cement his legacy while also bringing the Suns their first title in the history of the franchise.

But while the odds are in Phoenix’s favor, Paul knows that the things are far from over.

“We’ve been building all season long for these moments,” said Paul after the game. “We’re going to keep playing. This is just one game. We’ve got to stay locked in.”

Game 1 also saw All-Star Devin Booker scoring 27 points to go with six assists and three steals for the Suns, while DeAndre Ayton had a monster double-double with 22 points and 19 rebounds.

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points and 17 rebounds for Milwaukee, playing in his first game since suffering a knee injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez added 29 points and 17 points, respectively.

The NBA Finals will remain in Phoenix for Game 2, which is scheduled for Thursday night.

The post Chris Paul Scores 32 Points to Give Suns the Lead in 2021 NBA Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran guard Chris Paul isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind and call out his team when he thinks there’s a need for it. That was the case when his Phoenix Suns suffered a 97-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and extended their winless run to three games.

“We’re not playing well enough right now,” Paul told reporters. “I’m not going to say we’re not good enough, but we’re not playing well enough right now.”

The Suns had a 15-point lead after the first quarter but struggled after that and surrendered the lead at halftime. They gave OKC a run for their money in the second period but couldn’t complete a comeback.

Paul himself had a prolific night, scoring a season-high 32 points to go with five rebounds and five assists. However, he didn’t have the backing of his teammates, with only two other Phoenix players scoring in double digits. The Thunder, on the other side, had six players with 10 or more points.

“We play in spurts,” Paul added. “We’ve gotta respect who we’re playing against. Every night. Respect the opponent. “

Phoenix Suns opened 2020-season 21 with a great run, and it appeared that the offseason addition of Chris Paul could lead them to being competitive in the West after years of lottery finishes. But the Suns have now fallen to an 8-8 record, with five losses in the last six games, and need a quick turnaround if they don’t want to let their season slip away.

The post Suns’ Chris Paul: “We’re Not Playing Well Enough Right Now” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a blockbuster deal on Tuesday which will see future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul move west.

The teams agreed to a mega-deal which will see Chris Paul move from the Thunder along with F Abdel Nader to the Suns in exchange for Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick.

This move is a clear sign that the Suns are looking to contend in the 2020-21 season and that they have real ambitions to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign.

Phoenix acquires one of the best point guards in the league who, at the age of 34 averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 assists per game along with excellent efficiency.

The Thunder, on the other hand, will look to retool and rebuild for the future with the package that they acquired in the deal. Oubre and the 2022 first-round pick are the biggest pieces in the deal, with the Thunder acquiring one of the league’s bright young talents. Oubre averaged 18.7 points per game last season.

Rubio looks set to fill in for Paul as the team’s starting point guard, while Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque are young players who saw minimal playing time for Phoenix last year.

This trade should have a huge impact in the Western Conference race and could signal the Suns’ return to playoff and title contention.

The post Suns, Thunder Agree to Blockbuster Chris Paul Trade appeared first on SportzBonanza.