Chris Paul free company rumors: Suns guard declines $44M participant choice, per report

Chris Paul has reportedly declined his third-year, $44.2 million participant choice, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Paul joined Phoenix in November through a commerce with the Thunder alongside Abdel Nader; in return, Oklahoma Metropolis acquired Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 protected first spherical choose. With Paul working level for Phoenix, second-year coach Monty Williams led the staff to a 51-21 report and the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention.

Regardless of Paul declining his participant choice, there may be hope — very similar to with Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers — that he and Phoenix can attain phrases on a brand new deal. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:

MORE: NBA free brokers 2021: High gamers obtainable, begin date at no cost company, wage cap

Paul’s determination to say no his $44.2 million choice was anticipated, as it would enable him to renegotiate an even bigger contract with the Suns. As identified by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the “over 38 rule” within the collective bargaining settlement — which dictates groups cannot provide gamers a four-year contract in the event that they flip 38 throughout its length — makes Phoenix the favourite to re-sign Paul, who’s at present 36 years outdated.

If Paul opts to go away Phoenix for a staff he thinks might give him a greater probability at reaching that NBA Finals championship — the 11-time All-Star made his first Finals look in 2021 with the Suns, who themselves made their first such look since 1993 — then one other staff that has cap area and curiosity in him is the Knicks (New York misplaced within the first spherical of the Jap Convention playoffs to Trae Younger and the Hawks).

Paul loved his second straight resurgent season in 2020-21 with Phoenix, averaging 16.4 factors, 4.5 rebounds and eight.9 assists per recreation with the Suns. He additionally averaged 19.2 factors, 3.5 rebounds and eight.6 assists per recreation within the playoffs, falling simply two video games shy of his first NBA Finals championship.