RealGM

The Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul are widely expected to agree upon a new contract worth at least $90 million over three years.

There was a period last week in which league personnel began to speculate that Paul could play elsewhere with the New Orleans Pelicans a possibility. New Orleans had interest in Paul before the 20-21 season and hired Willie Green as head coach this offseason. Paul and Green are known to maintain a close relationship.

The salary cap complications involved with Paul leaving the Suns always made the him leaving the team unlikely.

Paul helped lead the Suns to The Finals in his first season with the franchise.

Via Jake Fischer/Bleacher Report

So a 2/45 extension doesn't seem too bad. 22.5M for years 2/3 in terms of total money going out the door. It will be interesting to see if this is an extension or an opt out and resign as I believe if it is an extension they could just add 2 years at 22.5M which probably is advantageous for them cap wise rather than 30M per year.

Would have been cool to finish in New Orleans but definitely have a more secure team in Pheonix. Most important thing is he plays 3 more years.

Paul opting in and then giving them an additional two years at a bargain price is a big win for the Suns. Don't hate it for Paul if he's happy there.

Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

thonnisbeastley wrote:Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

Lol so what?
He can try with Suns and if he succeeds it's worth ten fold than signing with Lakers or Nets or Bucks and teaming up with other desperados.

Its fine if championship is in his bucket list. But to be able to say you helped a team develop and be elite and also put on the burden on your back and succeed... That's much harder than simply joining the forming a super team to lessen the work load.

dougthonus wrote:So a 2/45 extension doesn't seem too bad. 22.5M for years 2/3 in terms of total money going out the door. It will be interesting to see if this is an extension or an opt out and resign as I believe if it is an extension they could just add 2 years at 22.5M which probably is advantageous for them cap wise rather than 30M per year.

Suns ownership likely wants an opt out and then he signs a new 3 year contract. His $44.5M option is a burden financially because it increases the luxury tax payment the team has to make next season and they would likely exceed the tax apron so they would be buying into a year of eligibility into future repeater tax liability especially when Ayton, Bridges and Johnson get paid after their rookie deals expire in future seasons.

thonnisbeastley wrote:Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

Deandre Ayton was looking like a bust before CP3 arrived now his floor at worst looks like a prime Deandre Jordan who can make his free throws. If Ayton works and develops a post game he could be a dangerous rising star in the nba. He already has stellar athleticism to grab rebounds, dunk and play decent defense on other bigs. He is likely going to get a max contract extension this summer or a max deal in 2022 free agency. If he makes an all nba team or is voted in as an allstar game starter next season he will be entitled to a pay bump on his max rookie extension.

dougthonus wrote:So a 2/45 extension doesn't seem too bad. 22.5M for years 2/3 in terms of total money going out the door. It will be interesting to see if this is an extension or an opt out and resign as I believe if it is an extension they could just add 2 years at 22.5M which probably is advantageous for them cap wise rather than 30M per year.

I was wondering the same thing myself. Since he’s making close to $45M this coming year. Makes sense to do it the way above because take the brunt of the cap hit early just in case you wanna remove this contract in the future instead an average of $30M+ Each year

Sam195 wrote:

dougthonus wrote:So a 2/45 extension doesn't seem too bad. 22.5M for years 2/3 in terms of total money going out the door. It will be interesting to see if this is an extension or an opt out and resign as I believe if it is an extension they could just add 2 years at 22.5M which probably is advantageous for them cap wise rather than 30M per year.

Suns ownership likely wants an opt out and then he signs a new 3 year contract. His $44.5M option is a burden financially because it increases the luxury tax payment the team has to make next season and they would likely exceed the tax apron so they would be buying into a year of eligibility into future repeater tax liability especially when Ayton, Bridges and Johnson get paid after their rookie deals expire in future seasons.

This also makes sense being that they are a very frugal ownership

I admire Paul in the fact that he is a true PG who makes everyone around him better. However, do we all buy-in that he’s going to play three more years at a high level?

He began breaking down at the most crucial time this post season. Granted the 19-20/20-21 seasons were grueling in regards to schedule, which was probably the biggest culprit, but Father Time is not in his corner.

I’m glad to see him stay, but don’t be surprised if we’re all eventually in another thread commenting on his contract vs productivity.

The right move for both sides. Their window is now and with some roster moves they could be back in the finals. CP3 relies on skill more than athleticism so he’ll be just fine into his late 30’s.

TheCage4 wrote:I admire Paul in the fact that he is a true PG who makes everyone around him better. However, do we all buy-in that he’s going to play three more years at a high level?

He began breaking down at the most crucial time this post season. Granted the 19-20/20-21 seasons were grueling in regards to schedule, which was probably the biggest culprit, but Father Time is not in his corner.

I’m glad to see him stay, but don’t be surprised if we’re all eventually in another thread commenting on his contract vs productivity.

he played really well in the playoffs overall. and it's not like he hasn't had injury issues throughout his career (including at crucial times)

but of course it's unrealistic to expect him to play at his current level for 3 more years. he's already significantly less active defensively than he used to be

i was halfway hoping he'd leave so the suns would fall back to earth and maybe his detractors would finally understand how valuable he is

dice wrote:

TheCage4 wrote:I admire Paul in the fact that he is a true PG who makes everyone around him better. However, do we all buy-in that he’s going to play three more years at a high level?

He began breaking down at the most crucial time this post season. Granted the 19-20/20-21 seasons were grueling in regards to schedule, which was probably the biggest culprit, but Father Time is not in his corner.

I’m glad to see him stay, but don’t be surprised if we’re all eventually in another thread commenting on his contract vs productivity.

he played really well in the playoffs overall. and it's not like he hasn't had injury issues throughout his career (including at crucial times)

but of course it's unrealistic to expect him to play at his current level for 3 more years. he's already significantly less active defensively than he used to be

i was halfway hoping he'd leave so the suns would fall back to earth and maybe his detractors would finally understand how valuable he is

As long as he can get on the floor he will have a positive effect on the game. He isn't a high flyer; his talent is between the ears. Stockton played 82 games and averaged an efficient 10.8/7.7 with 1.67 STL and a 3.4 Ast/TO ratio in his 19th year. He was 41. He could have played longer if he wanted.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

dice wrote:

TheCage4 wrote:I admire Paul in the fact that he is a true PG who makes everyone around him better. However, do we all buy-in that he’s going to play three more years at a high level?

He began breaking down at the most crucial time this post season. Granted the 19-20/20-21 seasons were grueling in regards to schedule, which was probably the biggest culprit, but Father Time is not in his corner.

I’m glad to see him stay, but don’t be surprised if we’re all eventually in another thread commenting on his contract vs productivity.

he played really well in the playoffs overall. and it's not like he hasn't had injury issues throughout his career (including at crucial times)

but of course it's unrealistic to expect him to play at his current level for 3 more years. he's already significantly less active defensively than he used to be

i was halfway hoping he'd leave so the suns would fall back to earth and maybe his detractors would finally understand how valuable he is

As long as he can get on the floor he will have a positive effect on the game. He isn't a high flyer; his talent is between the ears. Stockton played 82 games and averaged an efficient 10.8/7.7 with 1.67 STL and a 3.4 Ast/TO ratio in his 19th year. He was 41. He could have played longer if he wanted.

sure. cp3 could be effective into his 40s. the only issue is the price tag

Sam195 wrote:

dougthonus wrote:So a 2/45 extension doesn't seem too bad. 22.5M for years 2/3 in terms of total money going out the door. It will be interesting to see if this is an extension or an opt out and resign as I believe if it is an extension they could just add 2 years at 22.5M which probably is advantageous for them cap wise rather than 30M per year.

Suns ownership likely wants an opt out and then he signs a new 3 year contract. His $44.5M option is a burden financially because it increases the luxury tax payment the team has to make next season and they would likely exceed the tax apron so they would be buying into a year of eligibility into future repeater tax liability especially when Ayton, Bridges and Johnson get paid after their rookie deals expire in future seasons.

Calculated it out, and after the trade for Shamet, they can sign 3 minimum deals, keep Paul on his current deal, and sign 3 vet min guys and be 1 mil under the luxury tax.

If they do the 2/45 extension, then they will be in much better tax situation in the future.

Sam195 wrote:

thonnisbeastley wrote:Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

Deandre Ayton was looking like a bust before CP3 arrived now his floor at worst looks like a prime Deandre Jordan who can make his free throws. If Ayton works and develops a post game he could be a dangerous rising star in the nba. He already has stellar athleticism to grab rebounds, dunk and play decent defense on other bigs. He is likely going to get a max contract extension this summer or a max deal in 2022 free agency. If he makes an all nba team or is voted in as an allstar game starter next season he will be entitled to a pay bump on his max rookie extension.

Lol, you have no idea what you're talking about. How was he looking like a bust? Prime Deandre Jordan, really?

dice wrote:

TheCage4 wrote:I admire Paul in the fact that he is a true PG who makes everyone around him better. However, do we all buy-in that he’s going to play three more years at a high level?

He began breaking down at the most crucial time this post season. Granted the 19-20/20-21 seasons were grueling in regards to schedule, which was probably the biggest culprit, but Father Time is not in his corner.

I’m glad to see him stay, but don’t be surprised if we’re all eventually in another thread commenting on his contract vs productivity.

he played really well in the playoffs overall. and it's not like he hasn't had injury issues throughout his career (including at crucial times)

but of course it's unrealistic to expect him to play at his current level for 3 more years. he's already significantly less active defensively than he used to be

i was halfway hoping he'd leave so the suns would fall back to earth and maybe his detractors would finally understand how valuable he is

Agreed, it'll be very telling if he leaves

Sent from my LM-G710 using RealGM mobile app

PerfectJab wrote:

Sam195 wrote:

thonnisbeastley wrote:Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

Deandre Ayton was looking like a bust before CP3 arrived now his floor at worst looks like a prime Deandre Jordan who can make his free throws. If Ayton works and develops a post game he could be a dangerous rising star in the nba. He already has stellar athleticism to grab rebounds, dunk and play decent defense on other bigs. He is likely going to get a max contract extension this summer or a max deal in 2022 free agency. If he makes an all nba team or is voted in as an allstar game starter next season he will be entitled to a pay bump on his max rookie extension.

Lol, you have no idea what you're talking about. How was he looking like a bust? Prime Deandre Jordan, really?

definitely didn't look like a bust, definitely benefitted from cp3

Sam195 wrote:

thonnisbeastley wrote:Lol Paul never winning a ring now.

Deandre Ayton was looking like a bust before CP3 arrived now his floor at worst looks like a prime Deandre Jordan who can make his free throws. If Ayton works and develops a post game he could be a dangerous rising star in the nba. He already has stellar athleticism to grab rebounds, dunk and play decent defense on other bigs. He is likely going to get a max contract extension this summer or a max deal in 2022 free agency. If he makes an all nba team or is voted in as an allstar game starter next season he will be entitled to a pay bump on his max rookie extension.

A bust? He averaged 18 and 10.5.. how exactly is that a bust after 2 seasons?