Report: Suns Waive Chris Paul

The Phoenix Suns will be without Chris Paul next season.

PHOENIX -- The Chris Paul era in Phoenix is over.

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly waiving Paul, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes. 

Paul was due just over $30 million dollars this season, which would have been guaranteed on June 28 if the Suns didn't waive him prior.

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

Now, the Suns will only accrue $15.8 million of his salary for the 2023-24 season. 

The move comes after a few months of speculation around Paul and what Phoenix wanted to do in the future at their point guard position. The Suns reportedly showed heavy interest in Kyrie Irving both before, during and after the trade deadline. 

Still looking to keep their championship window open with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns felt as if change was needed in a few months that has seen nothing short of that - which includes the recent dismissal of head coach Monty Williams.

Paul will have a number of teams interested in his services, and the Suns still have Cameron Payne under contract for next season if all else fails. However, Phoenix wouldn't make this move unless they had something bigger planned. 

The future speculation will also surround the likes of Deandre Ayton, who is expected to be heavily shopped in the trade market. The room to make space for more salary cap was through parting ways with Paul and Ayton, and that now appears to be a very strong possibility. 

Paul helped Phoenix reach heights such as he 2021 NBA Finals and setting a franchise record 64 wins the following season.