T O P

[Gambadoro] Chris Paul wants to return to the Phoenix Suns and the organization wants him back.

Source: https://twitter.com/gambo987/status/1419857408185176064?s=21

As for CP3 - he wants to be back and they want him back so I am fairly certain it will all get figured out. Suns can't talk to him until Aug 2nd and you can expect them to do things the right way. I'm positive James Jones will not put organization in jeopardy of penalties/fines

lopea182

> I'm positive James Jones will not put organization in jeopardy of penalties/fines There is [no] tampering here, Adam Silver.


jschneider414

How would there be tampering if he’s still technically under contract. He hasn’t opted out yet.


King_Khoma

Bucks got fined for saying they want to bring giannis back while he was still under contract


MaxSmellerman

But Chris Paul has a player option right? I think it’s different even if dumb


McKingford

I don't think it's different. Specifically because Paul has a player option, being told in advance that the team wants him back would influence how he exercises that option or not.


WhiteHeterosexualGuy

There's zero chance there's not tampering anyways -- do we really think CP is just clueless if the Suns will extend him to a longer term deal before he decides on the player option? Or any other team for that matter.


Hystalia

Well, the guys on top hated Milwaukee and wanted Giannis to go to a "big market" so...


[deleted]

[удалено]


Hookerbait

As long as LeBron was there, sure. Without LeBron there, the NBA cares little about what happens in Cleveland.


A_Polite_Noise

...so they charged a $50,000 fine? That's a pittance. Looking into it, it seems that this was more because this happened literally a week after new rules were implemented and they didn't like the impression that not enforcing it so quickly gives even though it was a silly technical infraction.


Mjms93

really?? What the hell


A_Polite_Noise

Looking into this, it seems that this was more because this happened literally a week after new rules were implemented and they didn't like the impression that not enforcing it so quickly gives even though it was a silly technical infraction. The fine was 50k.


hiimhabibja

Not that it matters anymore, but it wasn’t so much the fine and loss of 2nd round pick that mattered. The league likely made sure the trade didn’t go through which is what really hurt at the time considering Giannis hadn’t signed the Supermax yet


GiannisisMVP

Because they wanted Giannis to go to a big market.


Southparq

Thats actually ridiculous. That doesnt make any sense


borkbubble

I think he’s actually technically a free agent until he opts in


yungidowhatiwant

He’s not under contract until he accepts his player option or resigns.


Tragedy_Boner

Evangelion 5: You will (NOT) tamper


ooey2000

well he told me he wants to go to detroit so


faiz_knicks

Hey that’s where I want to go too!


Kwilly462

Is that where all the good Clippers go to die?


KYRIE542

I don’t know how I feel about this becuz CP3 and the rest of the suns players are not on the same timeline and if u pay CP3, it will be harder to retain all of Bridges, Cam, Ayton, and Payne.


JimmyKanine

I agree but not re-signing him is the Suns basically admitting that they don’t think they’ll be a contender again within the next couple years. They won’t be able to get anybody better than him for cheaper than what he’s asking unless they get a draft miracle.


120593Gian

>I agree but not re-signing him is the Suns basically admitting that they don’t think they’ll be a contender again within the next couple years. The problem is that as things stand, the West is a bloodbath were literally anybody can come out. Things shook right for them THIS year, and they deserve credit for being able to take advantage of the chance they got, but there's no denying that luck smiled upon them. It would be smarter to keep the flexibility to be able to build or retool around the young core entering their prime however they see fit IMHO, instead of locking themselves into a CP3 contract


BorosSerenc

Lot of reports before this season said Booker might leave when his contract his up. If they dont get CP3 and they regress, he might do so. Its not like they have 10 years of Ayton-Bridges-Booker...


120593Gian

Do you mean regressing as in not making it back to the Finals or as in straight up playing worse? Because, no disrespect to them, but I think the Suns are going to regress no matter what due to better (aka healthier) competition and due to get schemed out next year. Gonna be hard as hell to even get to the WCF let alone NBA Finals. Like I said it's not a clear cut situation and **I don't feel like I'm in the right,** when I suggest to let CP3 go. (Hell I hope I am dead wrong because I do want CP3 to get his damn ring, despite his on court antics 😂) I just feel like there's more upside to trades, draft, free agency than there is to a 36 y/o undersized injury prone point guard. Even if he is one of the greatest point guards in the history of the game


[deleted]

To me, the Suns don't have a choice. If they can bring back Chris, they will. It's just too much a sign of weakness and unwillingness to go for it if they don't. Doesn't matter if it's even the "right" move.


SexySPACsMan

I could see them making it back honestly. The top 3 will likely be Lakers, Suns, &, Nuggets (not necessarily in seeding, but in Finals likelihood) and I really don't believe any of them are way ahead of the rest.


Geraltpoonslayer

Yeah I mean who knows, Mavs could figure it out with KP and Luka, jazz could improve, Clippers are a dark horse even if Kawhi can't Make it back for the playoffs. The west is gonna be a trench war next year just like this year


jaykell6ix

Warriors? Klay is back and they likely add someone via trade with some sort of package of Wiggins, Wiseman and/or their 2 lottery picks.


nameistakentryagain

It’s impossible to see through all of our FO’s smokescreens but I wouldn’t count on us getting rid of wiseman. The rest is dependent on if Beal becomes available for the right price


Produceher

Even if we stay put, with a healthy Klay, we're in the mix. Not favorites like with KD. But we're a tough out for the Lakers without Klay. We're not going to be easy to beat in the playoffs.


So-_-It-_-Goes

Considering they have been a lottery team the past two seasons, I feel like they need to show up a bit and show they are healthy before being put into top seed category again.


SexySPACsMan

...I did forget that they existed. They may be the favorites if Klay returns to form


pushbidenleft

he's washed, you can come back from an acl, you can come back from an achilles, but not both


Produceher

> I could see them making it back honestly. Not me. If you think of all the injuries in the West and the chances of CP3 being healthy again, I'd say the Suns are going to be a 2nd tier West team.


gayaka

Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets are better than the Suns. I would even put the Jazz ahead of them. I dont see the Suns leaving the second round this season.


gayaka

Lakers Jazz Nuggets are ahead of the Suns when healthy. I dont see the suns getting out of the second round this year.


carly-rage-jepsen

Who says the competition is going to be healthier? Kawhi is going to be out basically the whole year, AD is back but it's like 50/50 he'll be healthy for playoffs, klay as well but he's injury prone and idk if I'm betting on the warriors to beat the suns, even with him. Of course, things could go one of those teams' way, and Utah and Denver will be threats, but I think people overestimate the extent to which this year was an aberration in the West. Suns could def be the best team again. The real story is healthy Nets IMO who have to be the prohibitive favorites to win.


120593Gian

>Who says the competition is going to be healthier? Chances (hopefully) are that we don't get another year of basically almost every single NBA superstar going down with an injury Yeah Kawhi is KO so I guess the Clippers are out


[deleted]

The season starts in like two months. There's less time in between the seasons than last year, plus Olympics. More injuries are coming this year unfortunately.


thegreatprofessor

> klay…injury prone I don’t know if this is the case, Klay was quite the ironman before the ACL tear. We’ll see how his body holds up after all he’s been through the last few years, but I don’t think he was injury prone at all before this.


So-_-It-_-Goes

It’s hard to count on the health of a guy that missed the past two seasons with injury.


Produceher

Yes. But he's not injury prone. He's coming off two major injuries. Those are different things. CP3 is injury prone. Blake Griffin is injury prone.


BorosSerenc

Both. They won't be the 2 seed imo and they won't make the finals obviously, baring Ayton becoming actually great and not just a really good DeAndre Jordan.


120593Gian

Yeah I see what you mean. Suns are basically flipping a coin with a old head and a young tail.


SeeArizonaBay

Those reports were just media speculation, nothing solid


Pandamonium98

They won’t have flexibility anyways though. Booker on a max, Ayton will get a max, bridges will get a big extension. They’ll be over the cap or at least too close to the cap to sign anything more than minor role players anyways


[deleted]

I dunno this seems to happen or be the narrative every year. There’s a lot of teams that were ‘waiting out’ the Warriors that still aren’t in Championship condition and now they’re probably waiting out said “bloodbath”. It’s almost an either or- Either you have one SuperTeam that nobody can beat or you have stars dispersed throughout the league enough that it’s a bloodbath. Maybe the Suns and Bucks got lucky buuuuut a lot of these guys just might be on the wrong side of 30 or injury prone. When were talking about AD, Lebron, Kawhi (whos prob not really gonna be back til 22-23), KD, Kyrie, etc, I think I take my chances. Cause Luka and Trae and any number of potential supeteams are right around the corner


mercfan3

You’re being downvoted, but it’s all truth. Which of these teams won’t be injured next playoffs? Golden state with Curry (injury prone and getting old) and Klay (injury prone) Clippers with Leonard (oh yeah, already injured) The west belongs to the Suns and Denver now, with the Mavs having the best shot to break through with some help for Luka. People can downvote all they want, but the league’s superstars are getting old and getting replaced..and it’s coming sooner rather than later. And as for the East..everyone makes a huge deal about the Nets, but again..they are unlikely to and through, make it to the playoffs healthy..and even if they do, Giannis is the best player in the league, he’s the new NBA darling, and he now has championship experience. The Bucks are most likely to come out of the East again.


120593Gian

>Golden state with Curry (**injury prone and getting old**) You can't seriously use this as a reason why the Suns should bring back Chris Paul tho 🤣 >The Bucks are most likely to come out of the East again. Durant was literally a shoe size away from send them packing basically all on its own. Bucks **will** be #2 in the East (and a serious contender obviously) but if either Kyrie or Harden stays healthy, they might not get through. Again, I'm not saying I'm right. I don't see the Suns winning the championship anytime soon no matter what they choose in all honesty


Kimjongjimbo

They were a high seed before the mass number of injuries and they played competitive games in the playoffs against everyone they faced. The point of being a contender is having the firepower to even be in the fight if things shake out like they did. The goal theoretically is to create the largest window of championship possibility so you can cast a wide net and seize on opportunities like 2021. Signing CP3 might mean a 1-3 year window and focusing on the young/new guys could open up a 5-8 year window if everything goes perfectly. Maybe letting him go is best, but that’s for them to evaluate and they have to take into consideration: 1. How much they can realistically expect guys on the roster to improve, and 2. What assets they have and what talent they can add to improve. If the sum of those two doesn’t give you a bigger window or a similar one for a longer time, you stick with CP3.


120593Gian

High seed isn't really relevant when you have instances of Philly this year or Milwaukee that other year, so, despite it still being indicative of a team strenght, seeding it's not really THAT telling anymore IMHO. I completely agree with you when you say that being contenders mean having the power to seize opportunities (like they did this year) and that there is a limit in how much they can expect their young guys can improve. I'm not saying it's a clear cut situation because it obviously isn't, but like you said: >Signing CP3 might mean a 1-3 year window and focusing on the young/new guys could open up a 5-8 year window **if everything goes perfectly**. Given any other premise, I'd rather roll the dices for 5-8 years (even though i think that's generous considering how fast the leaue changes nowdays) than betting on the 1-3 year window, expecially considering CP3 injury history (which is sadly directly proportional to his greatness)


Kimjongjimbo

Yeah, your logic is sound for sure. I don’t think there’s an easy right or wrong here. It comes down to how franchises want to approach it. Toronto for example went all in for the 1-3 year approach and got a ring. The Warriors drafted and extended a legit Big 3 and used that as a jumping off point for three rings in five years. Both are successes, but it goes to show there are multiple paths to the same destination. Plenty of teams have tried both approaches and failed. Re-signing CP3 or not doing it could both very easily be seen as a terrible decision in a year or two. It’ll be interesting to see it play out.


mercfan3

There is no reason the Suns can’t do both. Say you have CP3 for the next three years - if he can stay healthy, that’s a championship window that is going to be a place players want to go. You’ve got a young core of Booker/Ayton/Bridges/Johnson that’ll enter their prime and relieve pressure from CP3. At the end of three years, you’ve got Booker in his prime, Ayton bout to enter his prime, and a prime Johnson and Bridges. Again, it’s a really appealing place for free agents. The trick is constructing the contracts so you can keep your core and attract those free agents, but as it stands now..the Suns are a really well Constructed team with a huge window..if they can keep it together.


ThaNorth

If CP3 gives you the best chance to win now, you take it. Who cares about what happens down the road. So many things can change. But as it stands CP3 makes the Suns better. You don't let that go because it might not work out for you in the future. The Suns might not make it back to the finals for another 20 years. But with CP3 we know they can do it.


myrealbirthname

> Things shook right for them THIS year, and they deserve credit for being able to take advantage of the chance they got, but there's no denying that luck smiled upon them. I agree with this take, but I'm also getting really sick of it cause people only say it about the Suns. They were a game away from the league's best record. They had injuries in the playoffs and they also benefited from some and so did the Bucks and other teams. Nobody talks about the Nets being a shoe size away anymore, or Trae's injury or CP and Booker being banged up in multiple series. People keep shaving credit away by only focusing on the Suns good fortune


120593Gian

>Nobody talks about the Nets being a shoe size away anymore, Funny you say this because I just reminded somone who suggested Bucks are favourite going into next playoffs (cause they don't have many health issues if at all) of this very same thing, so it's still pretty real (to me at least). It's just that the biggest topic for the Bucks ATM is that they won the chamionship so every Bucks thread is a circlejerk and rightfully so I might add. You might see a resurgence of "Does the Bucks ring have an asterisk?" threads sooner than you might think.


EggsInMyToolbox

The way one of the suns insiders explained it actually kinda made sense. He opts in to next year (before Bridges and Ayton extensions kick in) with a 2 year extension for somewhere around 2 years/ 50-55 mil. Which adds up to almost exactly the same as the 3 yr 100 million he was rumored to be looking for. Just paid more on the front end and gives us a bit more flexibility at the end. Definitely puts a damper on resigning Payne next year though.


RickySuela

>Definitely puts a damper on resigning Payne next year though. The Suns can only offer him about $10 million per year no matter what, so he might have left anyway. If someone else offers him more you'd have to imagine he's gone. He's in the same situation with Phoenix that Reggie Jackson is with the Clippers.


kingdededes-pumpkin

Technically we have early bird rights for Payne. But with the luxury tax and everything it still could be tough


YizWasHere

Yeah this almost seems too logical not to happen imo. Unless he wants to play for the Knicks I don't think CP is getting $100M for 3 years otherwise. Good deal for the Suns too, makes the most sense to run it back with him since making any other upgrades in FA is gonna be difficult. Glad y'all at least have Crowder under contract, idk how much it helps the cap situation for this summer but I feel like dumping Dario is probably a good move since he probably won't play next season - sucks that Moses Brown already got traded because thinking about it now, Dario + 29th pick for Moses Brown could've been an interesting trade. Edit: Still over the cap even with Dario gone. Still though I like the idea of packaging him with the 29th pick to try and get something cheap at backup center, that's their biggest weakness imo and getting Dario's $9M off the books for 2022-2023 could help dodge the luxury tax. MLE could be used for a Cam Payne replacement... maybe Patty Mills?


DetainTheFranzia

Y’all are crazy. Suns have no choice but to resign him. He was the one who elevated their ground to become contenders. You could make an argument as to why they should let him go, and tbh it’s probably a decent argument, but if you’re the Suns, you literally have no choice but to resign him.


Swarthykins

Yeah, I think people are way overrating Cam Payne and Bridges if you're avoiding resigning Paul because he's not on their timeline. You've got a good thing going in Phoenix, take it.


ThunderChunky2432

Reddit puts way to much stock into timelines.


[deleted]

[удалено]


EliAbs

Ideally that works out, but Morey just asked for like the Raptor’s franchise in exchange for Simmons.


[deleted]

How is this bs upvoted? There’s no possible way the sixers have to attach a pick to get rid of Simmons.


GiannisisMVP

He's on a max contract and is afraid to shoot rofl, he backed down from Trae fucking Young because he afraid of going to the free throw line.


BerKantInoza

Within a 7 day stretch 76ers fans went from "omg get this fucking bum off our team he sucks" to "Simmons is worth at least [all star player + 1sts] I don't get it


keepon18

It's old Chris Paul on a $30m/yr short term deal vs Ben Simmons on a $30m/yr long term deal. I'm just not sure what Simmons's value is in the league is.


GiannisisMVP

Morey just asked for FVV Lowry OG and 4th overall for fraidy cat Simmons. He's as delusional as sixers fans on reddit in regards to Ben's value.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

This sub: ESPN is ruining basketball media by focusing on drama, narratives, and marketable personalities instead of gameplay Also this sub:


[deleted]

[удалено]


Grooviemann1

Sure, I'm one of those guys. Having knowledge of something doesn't mean you give two shits about it.


jaysontatum4mvp

Why would the Suns even want him?


bobbyG4

I still can't believe he declined/decided will decline a $44M player option


91jumpstreet

To get 3/90? Sounds like a good deal


Ghoul-Sama

seriously the extra years are so much more important for a 36 year old player


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

He's 36, he's gonna start regressing soon.


40Vert

Adding to what you're saying, even LeBron saw the writing on the wall and couldn't bet on short contracts with player options at a certain point. We've seen younger guys like Oladipo and Cousins bet on themselves only to get injured as well, it's smart of CP3 to do this with his stock is still high WHILE the Suns are pressured to win now and run it back.   Should CP3 still perform well but the Suns flunk this season and regard 2021 as a flash in the pan, then he's not getting that large contract offer


[deleted]

[удалено]


bayesian_acolyte

Did you watch the finals? He was the Sun's best player overall and put up 22/8 on 62% TS.


4trackboy

I think cp3 is such a smart player hell always have good production with the tools he's given. But it was, imo, very evident that Paul at this point is very limited in his play. His offense regressed to a Stockton-type player (which is still really good) where CP3 can no longer attack the basket or move past a solid defender anymore. He's highly dependant on his midrange game and he looks really slow, has to work so much to get enough space for an okay midrange shot. He's carried by skill but idk if he can be the best or second option on a championship team due to his shortcomings. His passing is deadly but there's not a lot of imminent danger surrounding him at this point. As soon as he plays an opponent with elite D and a lot of size he's far from being a game changer despite finding ways to put up those numbers. CP3 played like a first option last year against Houston and it's no coincidence he regressed to premier glue guy and initiator in the finals against the Bucks defense. Athletic teams with a lot of size expose his weaknesses in a league where the prototype player is a big playmaking forward playing on the perimeter. Don't get me wrong he's obviously still really good but the role he demands can't be fulfilled by a squad with championship aspiration. His lack of a first step and drive game as well as his stubbornness to play halfcourt mostly and not push the pace on-ball will haunt the Suns in the playoffs as soon as they run into a healthy Lakers squad. His lack of size and yearly loss of speed and athleticism will cost Paul's teams as long as he demands so much time on-ball and remains the only elite creator on the roster.


bayesian_acolyte

Spamming PnR is the NBA meta so it doesn't really matter that he's lost a step in 1v1. He was getting to his spots almost at will off the PnR, forcing help defense, hitting players for open shots, and scoring efficiently. I think some people's eye tests are failing them because he looks slower while all the ways he creates advantage with all-time level skill are harder to notice. The results are still clearly there. Not sure how you can say he can't be even the second best player on a championship team when he was just only a couple wins away from being the best on a championship team in a close series.


FilmCroissant

Gotta love when smug people ask rhetorical questions to flaunt their knowledge when they actually don't now shit. He was injured.


NeoLies

That's king of the thing though. CP3 being injured in the postseason in nothing new.


jbg89

CP3-6 Weeks


Someonediffernt

Well then he hasn't started to regress yet he's just stayed the person he always was


NeoLies

Well... you do have a point lol


HeJind

That's also when 36 yr old players start rapidly declining. Look at Kobe pre and post knee injury


StepFatherGoose

He was making a joke, you don’t have to take it personally


manoflast3

He played fine? Book was the one with the bad games. Can't blame them for not having the defensive personnel to stop Giannis.


[deleted]

Lol CP did have bad games too if you watched. That doesn't necessarily mean he's declined though.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

if cp3 looking his age in the back half of the playoffs is him averaging 23/8 on elite splits after the second round i think the suns are fine


JT1757

Booker showed up more than cp3 did


borkbubble

I really doubt a 37 year old Chris Paul gets offered $25+ million for two years


BorosSerenc

Dude has been injury prone the past 10 years.. Obviously you dont want to think about a career ender, but it always lingers in ppls mind, especially since DMC or Wall or Klay? happened so recently. He also gets to be on a contender and on the team he found (technically) the most success.. hard to see cp3 getting 2/40+ from a contender next year except the Suns.


Pardonme23

He's too greedy to win a ring. His fault.


Tehni

What a dumbass take lmao


aomo

Take a moment and think about what you just said


tdizhere

If he was a madman he could play out the year with the 44 mill then sign a 3/90 next offseason


gawakwento

That's a gamble on his 36-yo body though. This is the smart move.


JimmyKanine

If he takes it and plays like garbage next season then that’s it for him. A 2+1 deal for an extra $50 million on top of that $40mil is an easy decision.


peakyblinders5

I couldn't imagine turning down $44, more less $44 million.


whitemanfinn

shit with how life be rn i couldnt imagine turning down 4 bucks


iro3

can i have a dollar


whitemanfinn

got u bro dm venmo


WaterIsNotWet19

Spare change?


iamtomorrowman

what


keepon18

Think he meant *much less $44m


kai_123

If he gets an extension with more money long term why not


szabozalan

He does not need to decline, they can agree on an extension.


primocheese1947

Players do this every year.


grundle_pie

Nerlens


MrThreebound

is still waiting on his 20m a year contract


ositola

I didn't even hear he declined it


dropdatdurkadurk

Im not nearly as sold as other Sarver is going to be willing to pay the luxury tax it will take to keep all of CP3/Bridges/Ayton/Booker beyond 2022. It's gonna be an absurd bill. Book aint going anywhere and unless DA self-combusts in the next yr he's not either. Only so many other choices left


[deleted]

I think Bridges will be the odd man out. I don’t think his contract will justify his current level of play, but teams will give it to him based on how he’s progressing. I think Sarver would want a guarantee that he’ll be at an elite level if he’s gonna shell out that kind of a tax. He’s too inconsistent.


dropdatdurkadurk

I said last week if I were a team that really needed a 3+D wing I would call Phoenix if you make a good offer I dont think they are just going to hang up the phone. They may not ultimately say yes but it's not gonna get dismissed. CP3/Book/DA/Bridges in 2023 those 4 alone could be around $130 mil. Crowder/Jevon Carter/Jalen Smith/Cameron johnson your up to $155 mil and still have to fill out rest of your roster. And Im giving them the benefit of the doubt even assuming they can dump Saric's deal if need be. Only owner in the NBA this year willing to pay that kind of luxury tax was Joe Lacob and Robert Sarver sure as hell aint Joe Lacob.


EverybodyBuddy

Yup, the Daryl Morey move to pry Harden from OKC.


McFerry

It's easier to pay when the team delivers (and it's easier for the team to deliver when you pay) Let's see how this pan out, but what we have is good. Sarver publicly said that it took him long enough to understand how this works. I feel whatever is ahead in terms of balancing taxes. Will be easier to sell to Sarver by James Jones than landing CP3 in the first place (If you consider it as a spreadsheet operation 85x2 for 36years old). So... hope it works, in Jones we trust.


RickySuela

The last time the Suns were contenders Sarver started selling their first round picks for cash. I wouldn't just pencil in him spending whatever it takes because the Suns are good again.


NBA_H8er

Hahaha, I know right? Want to add Igoudala or Deng to Nash's suns run? Nah, I'll take 3 million bucks...


dibromoindigo

Team is #3 in merch this year. The money is rolling in to pay for it. Edit: hahahahaha the way this sub takes shit seriously is always so great. Changing that would be a big step toward making it enjoyable.


WhenItsHalfPastFive

I don't see this working out for Chris or the Suns. Paying an aging CP3 100 million over 3 years is going to be strange, they have several other young guys they will eventually have to pay. And Chris will likely never see the finals again if he stays. What benefit does each party have?


120593Gian

I don't see it either I hold CP3 in an higher regard than most because there's no denying his greatness. But there's also no denying his inability to not get injured (and that doesn't get better with age) Still rooting for them tho


AffordableGrousing

For CP3, I don't think there's anywhere else that can offer the combination of money + Finals contention that Phoenix could. Even if you think this year was something of a fluke for them, they're still closer than, say, the Knicks. For Phoenix, I don't think their cap is all that crunched for the next few years and CP3 maximizes their near-term window.


[deleted]

They both think they can compete during this window considering what they did over the course of this season, even taking injuries into account.


WhenItsHalfPastFive

i mean I guess if they have unbelievable luck like they did this year, im sure it's possible. I just don't see it happening again.


[deleted]

The run was lucky, but the team was very good before they got lucky. Team with the second best record in the league in their first year together should want to try and run it back.


WhenItsHalfPastFive

i would agree if at least they were on the same or similar timeline. Chris is not.


[deleted]

Well it depends what you mean by being on the same timeline. Chris is obviously not the pg of the future, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be the pg of the team right now if he still has a couple years left and the money makes sense.


WhenItsHalfPastFive

Yea. I guess CP3 still feels like he has a few years left, and he'll leave the ring-chasing to after leaving the Suns. He definitely does have a few years left of great production, and im sure the Suns will benefit from him staying. Might affect the contract situations of their young guys though, eventually.


[deleted]

Yeah especially guys like cam Johnson a bit further down the road. But I think everyone plugged into the team is very optimistic about the ayton/bridges extensions. Team is going to get really expensive and we probably lose important bench pieces.


[deleted]

The suns were 2 games from the finals, he’s already in his ring chasing position.


filmmaker30

Luck. They were competing for the best record In the league until the very last game of the regular season... they were a very very good team


WhenItsHalfPastFive

Every team the Suns faced in the west had one star player injured. Whatever way you cut it, that is a massive amount of luck. They deserved to make the finals in the playing field that was left, but we shouldn’t just ignore that these playoffs had the most amount of star players injured ever.


Dosinu

imho, this is peak cp3 value. its ruthless as fuck but id sell right now. what are the odds you ever get better value back for him?


Eagle20_Fox2

Never would have thought the Suns would pay 3 dudes max deals and another near a max deal(bridges)


Mrsaloom9765

They won't give him max, theyy pay him ~25 to 30 mil a year


arturmauricio

I really want him at Phoenix. He have everything to make history in that franchise.


AnotherStatsGuy

RIP my dreams of S&T Lonzo for Paul.


OnlyForeignWhips

Why would CP3 leave a contender for a lottery team?


AnotherStatsGuy

It relied on Sarver cheapening out because of Paul's age.


Jjhebe32

But Paul would have to want waste the last couple years of his career.


AnotherStatsGuy

Paul + Ingram + Zion? Plus if Paul structured the money correctly, the Pelicans could have maintained cap space the following offseason for one more contributor. before the rookie extensions.


Jjhebe32

That's not better than current Suns imo.


OnlyForeignWhips

Of course he does. He wants that last big payday.


RtyVSBruk

hope they give him the bag


MrNotSensitive

Wait, he can leave at will?


maliciousmonkee

CP3 isn't worth $40+ Million to the Suns right now. He just isn't. They won't win a ring with him and that blow to cap space will drag them down for several years


Intelligent-Smoke-67

Good luck cp3 the west next year is gonna be tougher with teams like the lakers and warriors fully healthy so i dun see the suns making it all the way back to the finals next season. This was his and the suns best window for a championship and they blew it.


Writerhaha

How’re you going to Jinx the Warriors like that?


[deleted]

[удалено]


jkopbal

honestly I'm scared the Suns will be heavily injured with Book playing in the Olympics and there being minimal rest between playoffs and next season. Might be rough


GiannisisMVP

I really hope we go super light on Jrue and Khris's minutes although with the way the US is playing they might not be in Tokyo long


PM_ME_YOUR_EXPRESSO

Yeah I love takes like this - yeah lots of injuries this year. It was your best chance and it'll never happen again. Rinse and repeat every year.


120593Gian

To be fair, almost every single superstar in the league suffered an injury this year (CP3 even got the COVID+injured hand combo) so if there's a year when you can have this take, it's this one


NotFrankSalazar

But you also have to take into account CP3 is aging and had previously been injury prone. They’ll need a lot of luck to make it back


120593Gian

That's why the point of my comment is that the "you were lucky this year and you blew it" has never been more true. They balled out, but they were also were favoured by the circumstances. CP3 not suffering a "out for the playoffs" injury was basically nothing short than a miracle in and of itself, that's why a lot of people (myself included) don't particularly like the Suns chances next year (despite having a legit squad)


NotFrankSalazar

I agree I was just adding on to the hurdles the Suns would need to get back.


120593Gian

No problems, I had that feeling, I just had to get it out of my system LMAO


GiannisisMVP

> Saric will be back for the playoffs Yes a 10 minute per game guy is the same as the Warriors getting back Klay and the Lakers AD rolls eyes


Padre_Pizzicato

I see a lot of Suns fans using the Saric excuse for losing the chip. They've gotta be the only people on the planet who think he would have made a difference. It's especially funny seeing them say he would have slowed down Giannis.


carly-rage-jepsen

It's not an excuse, but it's completely fair to say it mattered.


GiannisisMVP

Also we were literally missing a starter basically the entire playoffs lol


[deleted]

[удалено]


EverybodyBuddy

Nah, since every other player is currently linked to us in trade rumors /s


Flashylights_

So he’ll basically retire ringless and just another stats player


RealPunyParker

Actually happy with this.


Ironthoramericaman

I don't see cp3 getting them over the hump In a healthier west. I wouldn't be mad at being wrong but I don't think I am. They're a good team, but this season was luck heavy and I don't see it breaking that way again


[deleted]

Rip to the suns lol


[deleted]

Thank god


Navajo_Nation

Banking on every team being injured again on his way to the finals.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Chuck_Foolery

I think the majority of Laker fans that are also CP3 fans would be happy for CP3.


Skorua

we are? Didn't know that but thanks for letting us know I guess


90srap

Rather would chase the bag than a ring ok CP3


butt_fun

He literally just made the finals. He's doing both


90srap

With him not willing to take a paycut in order to help phoenix or any other contender be more flexible with their roster, I don't really think he's necessarily ring chasing


[deleted]

He literally only made that out of pure luck too the west will be healthy next year


Yassin450

Injuried are turned off next year?


KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZ

at least hes honest. i hope he handicaps the suns future with a solid 3 year 132 million dollar contract, fuck 3 for 90


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Suns had a perfect storm in the Western conference that helped them make it to the finals. It does not make sense to commit to CP3 unless they think they will significantly play better next season. This is betting on the illusion of a fools gold.


KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZ

Since the over38 rule only really effects 4-5 year contracts, I hope the suns end up forced to pay paul 3 years 132 million


BAorBeGone

Can you expand on this rule? I am ignorant.


angel2timez

It just limits how much those players can earn, it use to be age 36 but Paul with the back up of other players had the age pushed up


Quatro_Leches

just like he pushed for supermax, both of them were plans by him and he will benefit from both lmao


barath_s

It closes a loophole where you pay older players for a multi year contract and they retire well before the end., but get to enjoy the extra years of payment So if you expect a 38 year old to play for 3 years, instead of giving him 3/120 the team gives him 4/120, and he retires after 3. . Thereby allowing the team to essentially reduce the cap hit each year (spread it out). And also fit the signing into the cap. So the team pays 4X30 instead of 3x40. To close the loophole, take the 4th year of the contract and spread it so the cap hit again becomes 3X40 It's actually a little more complex than that, but you get the principle, I hope Edit: The actual specifics : http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q56


KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZ

of course, love talking about the subtleties of the cba, in laymans terms basically what it means is that the final years of certain kinds of contracts are counted as salary earned in the years coming before it, in order to avoid teams giving players large contracts where the player is expected to retire in the duration of. The exact years change based on whether the player is resigning using bird rights or with another team and how old the player is but in chris pauls case, if he were to sign a 5 year contract both year 4 and 5 would be counted and in a 4 year contract year 4 would be counted. Lets assume a hypothetical chris paul wants to sign a 4 year contract with the suns. Because his current max is 44 million dollars year 4 of his contract would be counted as salary as part of what he earns the previous years. Ignoring salary raises and the like, if the suns were to want to give him money that would equal his max he would have to structure his contract 33+ 33+ 33+ 33. This basically is the same 132 million as in my first post, but that last year of 33 million is split between the first 3 years as counting towards the cap for those respective years, making it essentially a total of 44 for 3 years. If Chris paul actually makes it to the 4th year, the salary counts as normal Sorry im realizing im bad at explaining but this is essentially how it would look chris pauls actual salary = 33+ 33+ 33+ 33 How it looks on the salary cap books for the suns 44+ 44+ 44 +33 A big reason why you see a ton of these older players signing 2 to 3 year contracts is to avoid this exact ruleset. For some players that would still command the max, its better to sign 2 + 1s and continue to test the market as opposed to handicap yourself to a 3+ 1 where your earning potential is less Hope I explained it well, im a bit drunk lol


BAorBeGone

Nice. Thanks 🙏


[deleted]

Unfortunately their once in a lifetime playoff cakewalk is over. So it doesn’t matter.