Suns Waiving Chris Paul; Should the Celtics Sign Him?

Could adding Chris Paul help propel the Celtics to Banner 18?

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

According to Bleacher Report and TNT NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns are waiving Chris Paul.

The 12-time All-Star earned All-NBA honors in two of his three seasons in the desert and helped guide the franchise to the Finals for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

But after a second-round exit that led to now Pistons' head coach Monty Williams' ousting, there will be a new bench boss in Frank Vogel and a change in floor generals.

Perhaps Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving could reunite in Phoenix.

But the Mavericks are working to re-sign the latter, and if he left Dallas, he might pick the Lakers, and teaming with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, over the Suns.

Plus, this postseason, Phoenix witnessed the perils of a thin supporting cast. And with Deandre Ayton's trade value at its lowest and a lack of cap space, the Suns might be better off upgrading its role players and trusting Durant and Devin Booker to lead them to a title.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

But new owner Mat Ishbia seems like someone who would rather see what Durant, Booker, and Irving can accomplish together, even if the depth around them is razor-thin.

Again though, there's no guarantee Irving picks Phoenix, who will keep its options open with Paul, who it could waive and re-sign.

Roughly $15 million of the 11-time All-NBA member's deal is currently guaranteed. His $30.8 million contract has a guarantee deadline of June 28.

If Paul has a new home next season, should it be in Boston?

The Celtics could strike a deal to acquire him via trade, but that likely results in taking on more money to add a player who averaged a career-low 13.9 points to go along with 8.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the regular season, then got injured during the playoffs.

There's more appeal to signing Paul if he reaches free agency. Boston could trade Malcolm Brogdon, which could prove a money-saving swap, depending on what it gets back for the latter.

Paul ranks third in NBA history in steals and assists. He's one of the Association's greatest floor generals. Few active point guards play the position the way the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon does, which is also the ideal style to maximize Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And he knocked down 37.5 percent of the 4.4 threes he hoisted last season.

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

But as an undersized, 38-year-old point guard with a concerning injury history and 18 years of NBA mileage on his tires, moving on from Marcus Smart to add Paul is ill-advised in this author's opinion.

Perhaps the latter's willing to come off the bench, but Derrick White's a better crunch-time option from this vantage point, so even if Paul's open to that, the role he'd fill best for Boston likely isn't his most appealing option.

For as much as he'd bring to the table, the Celtics and Paul are probably better off without each other.

Further Reading

If Celtics Trade Malcolm Brogdon, Here's a Realistic Return Who'd Be a Better Fit

Damian Lillard Prefers Trade to Two Conference Rivals over Boston Celtics

Exploring Potential Payton Pritchard Trades

Shaquille O'Neal Advises Celtics to Break Up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

After Hiring Sam Cassell, Celtics Linked to Another Top Assistant

Stephen Silas, Target for Celtics Coaching Staff, Signs with Detroit Pistons

Sam Cassell Checks Nearly Every Box in Celtics Search to Strengthen Joe Mazzulla's Coaching Staff

Danny Ainge Discusses Celtics' Unfulfilled Potential

Are the Celtics Small Tweaks from a Title? Brad Stevens Thinks So

Brad Stevens Says Celtics View Jaylen Brown as a 'Big Part of Us Moving Forward'

Brad Stevens Discusses Joe Mazzulla's First Year as Celtics' Bench Boss, Strengthening Coaching Staff: 'Joe's Experience Now, You Could Probably Measure in Dog Years'

Celtics' Championship Aspirations Undermined by Identity Crisis