Windhorst: Phoenix Suns have had discussions about acquiring Chris Paul

[bebopdeluxe]

Why the Suns? he should be trying to get a championship now at this point in his career.

What championship contender can put together the contracts to match his salary and has things the Thunder would want?

The Sixers could offer Thybulle. He is 1) cheap and 2) would fit their 3-5 year timeline.

People on Sixers boards would melt down if we traded Thybulle for CP3, but I would do it every day that ends in y.

[TheHartBreakKid]

If the Heat aren't interested, I'm not sure if there is a better realistic fit for him; I actually really like this. As I've stated before, Milwaukee might go hard for him, but they would regret it considering what they would need to give up just to match contracts (atleast 2 of Bledsoe, Middleton, or Lopez if my math is right).

For CP3, I'm sure he would prefer the Bucks or Heat, but considering his contract he doesn't really have a say in this. If the Heat are interested and are willing to part with enough assets to satisfy the Thunder, then great, everyone wins in that scenario.

As for the suns, I like this trade because I believe that team lacks/has lacked leadership and as a result their prospects have all not played to their most potential as a result; Regarding some players, it led has led to them being busts (those guys are all gone now, with no real valuable assets received in return for them). Regarding others, it's led to them "underachieve" considering their max potential (Ayton). And regarding Booker, who is far from a bust or someone who has underachieved, it's led to him to being inserted as the defacto leader of the team, something I don't believe he's ready for yet, and it has led to him not having an effective mentor to help him take his game to even a greater level.

CP3 won't make the Suns contenders. However he will take them to the next level if healthy (they almost made the playoffs this year and can easily do so without CP3 next year, but this isn't just about a playoff birth and first round exit...it's about the team developing that next level winning mentality).

Most importantly for the Suns, I believe they have a simple path of getting him. Rubio/Oubre is a great start that makes sense for both teams. I don't believe the Thunder are in the business of full on tanking, and Rubio and Oubre are both players that fit well next to SGA. Will the suns have to give up the 10th pick or a future pick? All depends on what other teams are offering. Either way, if I'm the Suns, I easily do a straight Rubio/Oubre for CP3 flip, and would really consider throwing in even 2 protected firsts if needed ahead of offering the 10th pick. Rubio/Oubre/10th pick is a tough pill to swallow though for a 35 year old CP3, as much as I like him for the Suns.

[Jadoogar]

Why the Suns? he should be trying to get a championship now at this point in his career.

What championship contender can put together the contracts to match his salary and has things the Thunder would want?

The Sixers could offer Thybulle. He is 1) cheap and 2) would fit their 3-5 year timeline.

People on Sixers boards would melt down if we traded Thybulle for CP3, but I would do it every day that ends in y.

They would have to give Harris or Horford to match salaries. Both of those are toxic contracts and i don't think Thybulle is enough incentive

[bebopdeluxe]

What championship contender can put together the contracts to match his salary and has things the Thunder would want?

The Sixers could offer Thybulle. He is 1) cheap and 2) would fit their 3-5 year timeline.

People on Sixers boards would melt down if we traded Thybulle for CP3, but I would do it every day that ends in y.

They would have to give Harris or Horford to match salaries. Both of those are toxic contracts and i don't think Thybulle is enough incentive

I agree. It would be Horford, Thybulle and picks...and we all know that Daryl Morey is fine with giving up picks. Once they have Horford, they could flip Adams for more picks or players.

[Slim Charless]

If that is what would make Booker happy then its a no brainer. Dude just wants to make the playoffs for once

He has a decent team now so it's on him as well. You are not a real star if you depend on a 35yo, who will miss 20 games as usual, to put you in the playoffs. Then in two years Paul will be on another team/retired and the Suns will be again in a search for a competent PG, lack of such being the main reason for being so bad for so long.

The team would have made the playoffs if not for Ayton's suspension. They better have a plan to add more good players on cheap contracts in case Paul misses significant time with an injury.

If we keep our 10th that won't be as big a deal. At 10 Killian or Halliburton might be available. Both would great options and could learn behind cp3 for season or 2 before taking over. Also, both could pinch hit I'm sure 15-20 games or so if Paul misses some games.

[bwgood77]

One way to look at this is from the Suns perspective:

If the Suns had a TON of cap space, and Chris Paul was a FA, should they sign him to a 2 year, $85 million contract?

If Suns had $10 million in cap space, should they trade Rubio AND Oubre to a team like Atlanta who has a ton of cap space to absorb them, for NOTHING in return from Atlanta and THEN sign Paul with the cap space created to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (Alternatively, they could trade Oubre elsewhere for something, like Aaron Gordon maybe) or a late pick.

And then, the same scenario as the last one, but should the Suns give Atlanta the #10 pick to absorb the Oubre AND Rubio contracts so they could sign CP3 to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (There are rumors that OKC is demanding the pick).

These potential scenarios basically end up with the same result, but I feel the Suns would be more likely to be bashed by everyone if any of those things happened...and of course with each scenario, it gets worse.

They got bashed last year for giving up assets to trade TJ Warren...with the result being to sign Rubio (which was a DRASTIC upgrade since they had G league level point guards the previous 2 years).

[OGLife]

So now that OKC traded Dennis, does this mean that CP is going to the Suns?

[TeamTragic]

Presti wants Cam or the #10 pick?

[YourCellarDoor]

Presti wants Cam or the #10 pick?

the most i would feel good about is a pick swap or future lottery protected pick, but i have a feeling it's going to be #10 if we're lucky... might end up being cam instead unfortunately.

[Mylie10]

So I read that Chris Paul is making a decision on either the Clippers or Phoenix.

Paul is said to lean Clippers, and of course this makes sense based on winning.

OKC likes the Suns package better, but are waiting to see what direction Paul will go.

[TeamTragic]

So I read that Chris Paul is making a decision on either the Clippers or Phoenix.

Paul is said to lean Clippers, and of course this makes sense based on winning.

OKC likes the Suns package better, but are waiting to see what direction Paul will go.

What is the Clippers offer?

[Texas Chuck]

So I read that Chris Paul is making a decision on either the Clippers or Phoenix.

Paul is said to lean Clippers, and of course this makes sense based on winning.

OKC likes the Suns package better, but are waiting to see what direction Paul will go.

What is the Clippers offer?

And more importantly -- where are you reading this?

[TeamTragic]

So I read that Chris Paul is making a decision on either the Clippers or Phoenix.

Paul is said to lean Clippers, and of course this makes sense based on winning.

OKC likes the Suns package better, but are waiting to see what direction Paul will go.

What is the Clippers offer?

And more importantly -- where are you reading this?

Maybe a blog site?

[Texas Chuck]

One way to look at this is from the Suns perspective:

If the Suns had a TON of cap space, and Chris Paul was a FA, should they sign him to a 2 year, $85 million contract?

If Suns had $10 million in cap space, should they trade Rubio AND Oubre to a team like Atlanta who has a ton of cap space to absorb them, for NOTHING in return from Atlanta and THEN sign Paul with the cap space created to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (Alternatively, they could trade Oubre elsewhere for something, like Aaron Gordon maybe) or a late pick.

And then, the same scenario as the last one, but should the Suns give Atlanta the #10 pick to absorb the Oubre AND Rubio contracts so they could sign CP3 to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (There are rumors that OKC is demanding the pick).

These potential scenarios basically end up with the same result, but I feel the Suns would be more likely to be bashed by everyone if any of those things happened...and of course with each scenario, it gets worse.

They got bashed last year for giving up assets to trade TJ Warren...with the result being to sign Rubio (which was a DRASTIC upgrade since they had G league level point guards the previous 2 years).

But of course its not this simple. Chris Paul has an existing contract. It is what it is. Here the decision is simple -- do you want Oubre and Rubio or do you want Chris Paul. And while I like Rubio and Oubre is fine, you want the top 15 player in the league. And if you dumped the contracts and opened space you can't get a better player. AD is technically a FA but he forced his way to the Lakers and won a title so he's not leaving.

If Paul was a FA then I think we'd all love the Suns being aggressive and going and getting him but we'd say they overpaid and the deal should have been 2/$60M.

Either way this is a deal I would think Suns fans have to root for. Try and keep the pick out of it of course, but push come to shove include it and take back both of the late 1sts they now own.

[Dadouv47]

I know OKC will try to send CP3 where he wants to play but it doesn't make sense to improve the Clippers if they are not overpaying for CP3

[bwgood77]

One way to look at this is from the Suns perspective:

If the Suns had a TON of cap space, and Chris Paul was a FA, should they sign him to a 2 year, $85 million contract?

If Suns had $10 million in cap space, should they trade Rubio AND Oubre to a team like Atlanta who has a ton of cap space to absorb them, for NOTHING in return from Atlanta and THEN sign Paul with the cap space created to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (Alternatively, they could trade Oubre elsewhere for something, like Aaron Gordon maybe) or a late pick.

And then, the same scenario as the last one, but should the Suns give Atlanta the #10 pick to absorb the Oubre AND Rubio contracts so they could sign CP3 to a 2 year, $85 million contract? (There are rumors that OKC is demanding the pick).

These potential scenarios basically end up with the same result, but I feel the Suns would be more likely to be bashed by everyone if any of those things happened...and of course with each scenario, it gets worse.

They got bashed last year for giving up assets to trade TJ Warren...with the result being to sign Rubio (which was a DRASTIC upgrade since they had G league level point guards the previous 2 years).

But of course its not this simple. Chris Paul has an existing contract. It is what it is. Here the decision is simple -- do you want Oubre and Rubio or do you want Chris Paul. And while I like Rubio and Oubre is fine, you want the top 15 player in the league. And if you dumped the contracts and opened space you can't get a better player. AD is technically a FA but he forced his way to the Lakers and won a title so he's not leaving.

If Paul was a FA then I think we'd all love the Suns being aggressive and going and getting him but we'd say they overpaid and the deal should have been 2/$60M.

Either way this is a deal I would think Suns fans have to root for. Try and keep the pick out of it of course, but push come to shove include it and take back both of the late 1sts they now own.

I'm fine with the deal without the pick included. There are also some rumors they want Cam Johnson. I wouldn't include either. I think the cap relief with Oubre/Rubio as well as them possibly being able to get assets by trading those guys, is enough. If the Suns could get BOTH of their late firsts for 10, I think that's fine too, though I'd still obviously rather keep 10. But I'd be just as fine with it not going through in that case, due to Paul's age and injury history.

He typically misses about 25% of the season until this past shortened, broken up year, and if things return to usual rather than this anomaly injury free season continuing, then Phx will be in trouble having to start Cam Payne for 18 games or whatever. Being that he's older, injuries are probably more probable than in the past and he also could/should start regressing soon. He hadn't even been an all star since 2016 before this past year, and probably only was this year because Curry was out...and George.

I'm also a tad concerned if the Suns regress 3 years from now when the Paul contract is done, in Booker's 2nd to last year, he is probably more likely to want to leave.

I do feel Rubio is probably a bit underrated as well.

I will be excited if the trade goes through with just the three players involved, especially if Paul maintains his level of play this season an stays injury free.

[kombayn]

I'm pretty sure CP3 will be in Phoenix by or after the draft. He wants to go there and you can get other teams involved since teams will want Rubio & Oubre. If the Thunder can snag the #10 pick from Phoenix, what a coup then.

[King4Day]

I'm pretty sure CP3 will be in Phoenix by or after the draft. He wants to go there and you can get other teams involved since teams will want Rubio & Oubre. If the Thunder can snag the #10 pick from Phoenix, what a coup then.

The latest is they want Cam Johnson and that's the hold up.

[YourCellarDoor]

tough position for james jones, i think we're under a lot of pressure to keep booker happy and feeling like we're trying everything we can do to make the playoffs. if chris paul wants to come to phoenix and a guy scoring 9ppg or a pick is what stops the deal from happening? i think oubre + rubio + cam or #10 is bad value, but i think that's what's going to happen.

[kombayn]

I'm pretty sure CP3 will be in Phoenix by or after the draft. He wants to go there and you can get other teams involved since teams will want Rubio & Oubre. If the Thunder can snag the #10 pick from Phoenix, what a coup then.

The latest is they want Cam Johnson and that's the hold up.

Going to be hard for them to get that. Might as well take the 2021 PHX 1st Round Pick instead. If I'm the Suns, I hang on to him. Why deal him? Making the Schroder deal doesn't help the Thunder, because he could've been had for much more I think. But Presti may have giving Dennis a choice on where he goes to. I'm sure Steven Adams is about to be dealt too. He'd be a great fit on the Bulls.