A Reunion Between Rockets And Suns PG Chris Paul Is Unlikely
HOUSTON — Future Hall-of-Fame point guard Chris Paul could be on the move for the fifth time in his career. ESPN reported on Friday that Paul will be one of two players the Phoenix Suns will "aggressively shop" this off-season.
The other is starting center Deandre Ayton.
The news came a day after the Suns' playoff elimination by the Denver Nuggets Thursday night, where Paul missed four consecutive games due to a groin injury.
No team has emerged as a possible destination if the Suns explore the trade market. But it is implausible for Paul to find himself back on the Houston Rockets come the start of the 2023-24 season.
General manager Rafael Stone has expressed Houston's desire to add veteran players to their young corps this off-season. And given the impact he had on the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019-20 campaign, it would make sense as to why any rebuilding team would want Paul as a veteran leader.
But his lone season with the Thunder came due to his jettison from Houston. The Rockets traded Paul to OKC in July 2019 in favor of Russell Westbrook. Owner Tilman Fertitta was the "driving force behind the trade." And the relationship between the two respective parties did not come to a pleasurable end.
Enough time has passed for both sides to reconcile. Paul has helped revise two franchises since the Rockets traded him to the Thunder, while Houston has fallen into an abyss.
But Fertitta's most significant issue was Paul's contract, which he deemed the worst in sports. The 12-time All-Star is under contract until the 2024-25 season worth $60 million. But according to Spotract, only $15.8 million of Paul's remaining contract is guaranteed.
The summer of 2017 marked the last time Paul faced this caliber of uncertainty. The Los Angeles Clippers sustained another embarrassing post-season exit. And by July, the Clippers traded Paul to the Rockets for a hefty package.
Paul averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 59 games for the Suns this season. He could still be productive on any team he plays for amid his 19th season. But it is unlikely for the Rockets to give Paul that opportunity.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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