A championship is the only thing missing from Chris Paul‘s Hall of Fame résumé, but the Suns guard may be running out of time to get one, writes Doug Haller of The Athletic. Paul will turn 38 next month, and his contract for 2023/24 is only 50% guaranteed at $15.4MM. The acquisition of Kevin Durant in February puts Phoenix among the favorites in the West, but there’s a chance this could be Paul’s last year with the team.
The veteran point guard said Saturday that he’s trying to block out those concerns, focusing only on the playoff challenges that lie ahead.
“For me, I’m going to compete day-in and day-out. And right now we got a one-track mind, and that’s to focus on Game 1 against the Clippers,’’ he said. “All that other stuff, that ain’t it right now.”
Paul addressed the championship issue after the Suns were eliminated last spring, Haller adds, saying that it bothered him more earlier in his career but now he feels fortunate to be able to play at a high level for so long. However, now that playoff season is here again, he’s ready to go all out.
“When you play for a while and it doesn’t go the way you want it to, you basically wait a whole year for another opportunity at it,’’ he said. “It starts now.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Klay Thompson “has an expectation” that the Warriors will offer him a max-level contract extension this summer, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on Saturday’s “NBA Countdown” (video link). Thompson has one more year on his current deal at $43.2 MM and can become a free agent in 2024 if he doesn’t get an offer that he likes. Wojnarowski notes that the extension decision for Thompson will be influenced by luxury tax concerns, the uncertain status of general manager Bob Myers, whose contract will expire after this season, and punitive restrictions in the new CBA against the highest-spending teams.
- The seventh-seeded Lakers had to go through the play-in tournament to reach the playoffs, but they don’t feel like underdogs against No. 2 seed Memphis, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. L.A. is playing its best basketball of the season, winning 10 of its last 12 games. “I think seeding doesn’t matter,” Anthony Davis said. “Once you get in, it’s all about matchups and things like that.”
- Trade deadline acquisition Bones Hyland could be a difference maker for the Clippers in their playoff run, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. The second-year guard averaged 12.8 points and 4.3 assists off the bench in his last nine games to help the team wrap up the fifth seed. “He’s not scared and that’s the first step in being a good player is just not being scared, not being afraid of the moment,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s not afraid of the big shots.”
Is Klay still worth a max contract? Definitely debatable.
Yea, if I’m GSW I’m willing to pay him more than what anyone else will. Because you are not going to find someone better to pair with Curry. Thompson can shoot and knows how to move without the ball and opposite of Curry.
But if I’m another team, I would only pay him like $15m cause the time to develop him a system as effectively as he is in GS, would take years. So essentially he would be a role player. A Kyle korver type.
The problem is, there could very well be a team to offer him a lot just to hurt GSW. The Kings or Mavs could offer him almost $30m next year. That would change the landscape a lot.those team would get better while knocking back a direct competitor
warriors don’t have the money to offer him a max extension. Let him see what is offered and just offer him more. With his age and his defense slipping i just don’t view him as a top player.
Klay is out of his mind if he thinks he’s worth that. With his age, injury history, defense lapses, and inconsistency, no way should he get the max extension. You should only give those contracts to guys who can be franchise level players or who really move the needle. Thompson is neither
I don’t think anyone but the warriors would even consider it. But they like to keep the fans happy for some reason.
Klay is not getting a max extension. There is no money for him to get a max and his defense is not top notch now. I can only see him getting around $25 million a year. Same deal Wiggins received. If that is not enough good luck finding somebody to throw a huge amount at him.
According to rumors 4 months ago, Lakers may offer both Klay and Draymond contracts
Not anymore. They will be handing out some big contracts and now are handicap in giving out more than a mid level exception.
Is 14.7 PER worth max? Certainly not the veteran max level.
4/120 to 4/150 is more than fair.
Agreed.
Lakers have been playing great basketball…against other play-in teams. They are for sure underdogs. Memphis has been good all year.
Hyping them to be good sells papers. You can use those same papers to line your birdcage.
Grizzlies and it isn’t close (unless the zebras run wild on the plain…if ya know what I mean…)
Grizzlies should take the series but Refs may try to extend it since its LA.
Yea against another team, I could actually buy into the Lakers. Even against Denver, the number one seed. But grizzlies got to many dogs. Lebron ain’t diving for balls against Dillon Brooks. They got no chance
This Kings and Warriors series is tough. I love what the Kings are doing. They remind me of the Chris Webber Kings. But Curry the best player in the league since Kobe.
Based on Lacob’s statements (prior to the new CBA), I’d be shocked if KT were offered a max extension this summer. He’s signed through next year (it’s not a player or team option). A max extension offer in his case would be for 4 years starting in 2024-25 north on 46 mm/year.