Over the course of his 16 years in the NBA, point guard Chris Paul has never come closer to winning a championship than he did this season with the Suns. But ultimately, his season ended like most of those other 15 did — with a playoff elimination. As Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes, Paul now holds the ignominious distinction of being the only player in NBA history to lose four different series in which his team held a 2-0 lead.
Paul has a $44MM player option for the 2021/22 season and it remains unclear what his plan is for that option. Picking it up and trying to work out an extension with the Suns would be one viable path. Opting out in search of a new multiyear deal would be another. After Tuesday’s loss, the 36-year-old wasn’t ready to discuss his intentions, simply confirming that he’s not considering the possibility of retirement.
“It will take a while to process this or whatnot, but it’s same mentality,” Paul said, per McMenamin. “Get back to work. I ain’t retiring, if that’s what you’re asking. That’s out. So, back to work.”
While Paul didn’t specifically address his contract situation, his comments after Game 6 made it sound as if he’s leaning toward remaining in Phoenix, McMenamin notes. The veteran guard spoke about the Suns’ desire to continue improving and to compete for a championship again in 2022.
“Everybody in that locker room knows we had enough, but it wasn’t enough,” Paul said. “So, we got to figure it out. I think for me, I just look at myself and figure out how can I get better, what I could have done more and make sure I come back next season ready to do it again.”
Here’s more on the Suns:
- Although the Suns’ loss adds to Paul’s list of playoff disappointments, his legacy as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer and one of the all-time great point guards has already been cemented, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Mark Medina of USA Today makes a similar case, arguing that CP3’s legacy shouldn’t be tarnished by Phoenix’s loss.
- In his preview of the Suns’ offseason, Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider link) takes a closer look at Paul’s contract situation and several of the other decisions facing the Suns, including Cameron Payne‘s free agency and possible rookie scale extensions for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. Adding backcourt bench depth will also be a priority this summer for Phoenix, Marks adds.
- Anthony Slater of The Athletic also explores what’s next for the Suns, suggesting that the team should be open to moving the No. 29 pick in next week’s draft for veteran help if the right deal arises.
Maybe Paul opts in now and sees how the team does next season before commiting. If they regress and lose in the first round, he might go ring chase.
Family first
You get as much money as you can get, then you ask to be traded
He’ll still get his money. Might sacrifice some but I don’t think the Suns are gonna be paying him over 40 million a year at this age.
He would get more this year by opting in, but his value will drop in 2022 after turning 37. Especially if he misses a large number of games due to injury like he has in the past. Just look at all of the games LeBron has missed in LA. CP3 will do the smart thing by opting out and signing a multi-year deal to secure as much money as he can while he remains a hot commodity. It was only two years ago when his contract was considered to be the least team-friendly in the NBA.
I agree with you, but I doubt CP3 is hurting for cash (although I’m not his accountant so I don’t know), so I could see him sacrificing some future earning potential if he thinks that PHX would be his best shot at winning a title
I’m only opting out if they agree to 4 for 104.
next year is the last one where he will be good still. i think he’ll see Phoenix has no chance against healthy West Teams and he’ll join Lakers or Clippers and take a paycut
The Clippers are going to struggle to stay out of the play in tourney next year. Why would he go there?
Pauls gone. Suns have no chance against a healthy lakers, clippers or nuggets. Look for Paul to join a contender for less if his object is to win a ring
What you’re saying is they have a chance then? Denver already has Murray hurt and he will be until probably March or April.
Kawhi will be out for most of next season as well likely 9-12 months. If it is the latter he won’t be back until the playoffs are underway.
Who knows who the Lakers will run out there next year other than LeBron or Davis and at this point who knows how much either if them will play?
Ad played healthy game 2/3 and you saw the result. Suns had no one injured and got lucky. Suns struggled with aging lebron and just Paul George.
Judging by your avatar I have a feeling you’re being slightly biased.
Healthy Jazz are a better team than Suns
Phoenix still isnt good with a even older Cp3 next year and what? Booker? who scored like 15 points last night? Suns are a good team but not elite. more in the Miami Tier. ya’ll forget about the Warriors and Dallas getting better. Also Lillard could create another super team if he leaves
Ok if you’re going to use 1 game to base anything on in sports you can find guys who played 1 year in a league that had hall of fame games and hall of fame players that looked like bums.
Saying “who Booker who had like 15 points last night” is incredibly short sighted and stupid.
So forget about the back to back 40pt games Booker had? He had a bad night. If Paul decided to run it back and management worked on improving the team then sure they might return.
Your condition is you’re biggest problem, they won’t be healthy for a full series much less an entire postseason.
What a disappointing four games he played. He looked tired and scared to shoot many times.
Frank the tank is great
2 offensive rebounds converted to 5 points
He can rebound, can score and can pass
Dear Mitch,
If you’re holding this letter you already know. The house has been boarded up. The doors. The windows. Everything. We’re at the Comfort Inn. Room 112.
I love you,
Frank
Great movie. Although I still can’t stand Luke Wilson for some reason.
Bring your green hat.
Everyone needs to lay off CP3. Being second in a group of 30 is nothing to be ashamed of. Some people have got it into their head that if you don’t win the title, you are a failure. I blame Will Ferrell and his Ricky Bobby movie for teaching the “if you aren’t first, you’re last” mindset. Of course, you also have to blame the viewer that doesn’t realize that Ricky Bobby learns throughout the movie that the philosophy is very wrong and changes his ways. But I digress.
The Suns were still the Western Conference champs. The Western Conference that has been much strong top to bottom than the East for twenty years. The East is catching up, and possibly will be better in the near future, but the West is still a harder conference to compete in. Yeah, they lost, but there are 28 other teams that would love to trade places with them right now.
“I know there’s a cougar in the car, I put it in there. You gotta learn to drive with the fear. And there ain’t nothing more goddamn frightening than driving with a live cougar in your car.”
I’ve had a few live cougars in the backseat of my car over the years. It can be quite frightening yet very exhilarating.
If he can get someone to give him 3/90… he should take it. 44M and if he declines maybe he only gets 10-15 per offered. So could be difference between 64M and 90M.
4 for 104. If you want want me to give up 44 for one then I want 20 per for +3. They will push 3/84 but if I’m him I’m forcing the extra year.
I don’t think 4 years are allowed for someone his age. Isn’t there an over 36 or over 38 clause in the CBA?
Nobody wants him to opt out (other than him and his agent maybe). Certainly NOT PHX.
Man, the media really says some absurd things. Why would getting to the Finals for the first time but losing “tarnish” Paul’s legacy? This idea that losing in the Finals is somehow worse for a player’s legacy then not getting there at all is ridiculous.
Idk, that seems to be the narrative. Just because Lebron’s lost in the finals 6 times and been there 10 compared to Jordan’s grand total of 6.
lebum lost finals with superteams. thats embarrassing
LeBron also willed his “superteams” to victory in the finals. In 2016 the Cavs beat the 73-9 Warriors with Love and Irving hobbled for much of the series. In 2013 LeBron carried the Heat over the final 2 games to beat the Spurs. The only times he lost in the finals where his team wasn’t the underdog were in 2011 to Dallas. No excuses, they flat lost when they were the better team. Then they lost to the Spurs in 2014 as favorites but the Spurs had 3 future hall of famers as well.
Sure Jordan never lost in the finals and won 6 but does that mean he just simply wasn’t good enough to get his team there 10 times?
No, it means that once he was good enough to get there, he wasn’t letting anyone knock him off the top. Plus, there were only 6 times he didn’t get to the finals. And five of those six times he was bested by either the Bird Celtics or the Bad Boy Pistons, two of the better 80s dynasties. The rest of the time he didn’t win it all was when he was playing baseball or his Wizards stint after a three year retirement.
Jordan averaged 33.5 PPG in the playoffs for his CAREER. Nuff said.
Ummmmm he lost to the Spurs one year with 3 hof players and he lost to GSW once with no Kyrie or Love and twice to GSW with Curry, Klay, KD anf Gf’s Draymond. He lost to super teams too.
Paul should stop playing for different teams and stay in Phoenix. 3 yrs for $75. It’s win win. Paul needs to get multiyear contract now as there js always a a risk of injury. If Paul wants more money, Suns sbould let him go.
I think the most likely option is an opt in and see. That works out for both parties because the Suns will have to deal with Ayton and Bridges extensions in 22/23
I think we need to wait and see what the injury is Paul was dealing with before we really critique his play in the series post game 2. He looked like his wrist is really messed up. He grabbed at it multiple times over the last few games and he was deferring to Cam Payne. Chris Paul doesn’t defer to Payne if he is healthy.
The problem is we have this convo every year. He’s never healthy.
I have this CRAZY idea !
If he wants a ring so badly, OPT OUT !
Take LESS $$$ , be a team player.
Help your team resign key players and/or add more talent, there are no guarantees in life, but they have a good team and if they keep going in this direction, another year of seasoning and a chip on their shoulder may be exactly what propels them to a title.
There were times during the finals that it seemed like Paul didn’t want the ball in his hands – winners want the ball. Along with his nagging injuries, maybe Father Time has caught up with him. One more payday and then hang it up.
CP3 is in a good situation in PHX. His contract has an opt out. One of the purposes of that is to have the leverage to negotiate an extension prior to the last year of deal. He should use it. But, that he does, doesn’t mean he wants to leave. He shouldn’t.
CP3’s best prospects to win a championship are in PHX (not LA, either team, or anywhere else), not just next year but in the next couple of years. They have a great young core that will be coming into their collective prime right around that time. This Finals run will only strengthen them. On the flip side, their current competition out West (other than DAL and DEN) will likely be descending over the next few years. A 3 year deal (opting in, with extension, at 44/25/26) would be his best result from both a financial and a basketball standpoint. He can take 3 tries at besting what happened this year by 2 games. If he can’t, he should be at peace with it.
I agree Chris should stay in Phoenix. They need to fix their bench. And they will still be contenders. They are a young team so will still improve. This is his best chance at winning. I don’t see him leaving. Griffin and a rim protector for Suns bench makes them much better. Maybe even sign Jordan if he gets bought out. Three old guys finding their glory in Phoenix. I’d watch that.
Paul’s travails could form the grist of another state farm ad.