Future Between Suns, Chris Paul Unknown as Conflicting Reports Emerge

It seems as if nobody knows how the future will unfold between the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul.

PHOENIX -- A rollercoaster 2022-23 season for the Phoenix Suns has only been matched by the early beginnings of their offseason, with Chris Paul's status just the latest turn in the Valley. 

Earlier, Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported the Suns were waiving Paul just ahead of June 28, when his $30.8 million salary for the 2023-24 season became fully guaranteed. 

BREAKING: Phoenix Suns have notified star Chris Paul that he will be waived, making the future Hall of Famer one of the top free agents this offseason, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 7, 2023

If officially waived, the Suns would only be on the hook for $15.8 million of that money.

That's a big if, something prominent reporters around the NBA/Phoenix are debating themselves. No - not if they should do it, but rather if Haynes' report is actually true.

Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro says Haynes' report is false, but the Suns are discussing his future.

The Chris Haynes report is false. Suns having discussions about Chris Paul future but have not made a decision as of this time.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 7, 2023

98.7 Suns beat reporter Kellan Olson reported similar sentiments.

The multiple avenues being the previously reported possibilities: stretch/waive, waive and trade.

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) June 7, 2023

The Athletic's NBA insider Shams Charania offered this in his report:

"The Phoenix Suns have notified Chris Paul that they intend to find a resolution this offseason that fits the veteran star and the Suns organization, which could include parting ways, league sources tell The Athletic.

"The Suns and Paul are exploring multiple options, league sources tell The Athletic, including a trade, waiving and stretching his contract over multiple years, or waiving and potentially re-resigning him in free agency.

"The Suns had initial discussions Wednesday with Paul’s agent, Steven Heumann of CAA Sports, and explained that they would be exploring all options."

ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski offered his in his own report:

"The Suns insist that they're still working through several possibilities for Paul's future and reiterated that to his representatives later Wednesday afternoon, sources said. 

"Phoenix plans to explore trade opportunities including Paul and Deandre Ayton that could alter the franchise's roster landscape ahead of a final decision on Paul's partially guaranteed contract, sources said.

"Only $15.8 million of his $30.8 million for the 2023-24 season is guaranteed if he's waived -- unless the Suns keep Paul past that June 28 deadline date. The expectation is that the Suns would stretch and waive the guaranteed portion of Paul's salary next season ($3.16M per season over the next five seasons) to create more salary cap space and open up the team's ability to use the $12.2 million taxpayer midlevel exception. Paul's $30.8 million for 2024-25 is nonguaranteed.

"Paul continues to want to return to the Suns and partner with his close friend Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, sources said. Nevertheless, Paul and his representatives want the organization to make a quicker decision on his future so that he can proceed out into free agency if indeed the Suns ultimately waive him, sources said."

We'll see what exactly transpires over the coming days/weeks, but it's clear that Paul's future with the Suns is very much undecided.