NBA: Chris Paul ‘to become a free agent as the Phoenix Suns waive future Hall of Famer’

The Phoenix Suns are waving multi-time All-NBA point guard Chris Paul, according to Bleacher Report and TNT’s Chris Hayne. 

He and the franchise are also said to be exploring multiple options that include trades or him re-signing on a cheaper contract after being waived, according to The Athletic.

Paul is set to be one of the top free agents this summer following his three-year stint with the Suns.

The 17-year veteran’s season once again ended after his team was eliminated from the playoffs following another postseason injury.

Paul is said to be planning to play for several more years and look to join a contending team this offseason.

The Phoenix Suns are waving multi-time All-NBA point guard Chris Paul, per reports

Paul suffered another post season injury and missed time in the series against the Nuggets

The Suns will eat the remaining $15.8million in guaranteed money that Paul is owed and will save around $15m in salary cap space once the move is complete. 

Paul recently admitted that he was a hard teammate to play with during a recent podcast appearance, despite the fact that he still puts up highly productive numbers at this late stage of his career.

‘It’s hard, probably, to play with me, to be my teammate, because a lot of times I have a one-track mind and that is to compete,’ Paul told Ryan Clark on The Pivot.

‘And if you not on that same energy, then it’s going to be hard. It’s gonna be hard for us to get along.’ 

That drive enabled the 38-year-old PG to average 13.9 points and 8.9 assists through the 59 games he played last season.

Paul also recently admitted that his 10-year-old daughter has been bullied at school over his inability to win an NBA championship during his potentially future Hall of Fame career.

‘It’s tough on me, but I think it’s probably even harder for the people around me,’ said the league’s five-time assists leader (2008, ’09, ’14’, ’15, ’22). ‘Especially my wife. My wife is the one who has to bear those late nights, those ”I can’t sleep”. And my kids.

DeAndre Ayton is set to become a centerpiece under the new-look Suns this season

The Suns are set to build a team around Devin Booker (left), Kevin Durant (right) and Ayton

New head coach Frank Vogel recently said Ayton can be one of the best centers in the league

‘My daughter is the sweetest soul you’ll ever meet in your life, but she’s at that age now where at school kids talk crazy too. Right? So she had a little boy at school that said some reckless stuff to her. He was like ”your daddy ain’t never gonna win no championship.”

‘And my baby… she’s special. She held it together there but when she got in the car, she called and she was upset, and I had to have that conversation with her and talk to her. You know, tell her like ”baby, some people talk and some people do” but that’s part of it.’

It appears that Paul will have to chase the elusive Larry O’Brien Trophy elsewhere as the Suns appear set to retool the roster without him, as new owner Matt Ishbia and recently hired head coach Frank Vogel build a team around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Ayton.

Vogel recently praised Ayton saying: ‘I think he can be one of the best centers in the league. … There are still areas that he can grow offensively, but I’m intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an All-Star level player.’