PHOENIX SUNS

Report: Chris Paul opts out of final year with Suns, will become free agent

Aug 1, 2021, 2:44 PM | Updated: 8:25 pm

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against ...

Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the second half of game five of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Bucks defeated the Suns 123-119. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

With NBA Free Agency beginning August 2, another big name has hit the open market.

Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul has opted out of the final year of his contract, making him a free agent, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports both Paul and the Suns are “motivated to negotiate a new deal” to keep him in Phoenix once the free agency period begins at 3 p.m. MST Monday.

Paul was set to make $44.2 million this year as part of the final year of a four-year contract he signed with the Houston Rockets prior to the 2018 season.

Phoenix acquired the veteran point guard before the 2020-21 season, dealing Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In Paul’s first season with the team, the Suns returned to the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade and made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 but fell short to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul played 70 games during the regular season, averaging 16.4 points per game, adding 4.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists. He made Second Team All-NBA and the All-Star team.

The Suns finished the regular season with a 51-21 record, the best in the Pacific Division and second in the Western Conference.

In their run to the NBA Finals, Paul’s first time ever making it there in his 16-year career, he played in 20 playoff games for the Suns, averaging 19 points and 8.9 assists an outing.

It was a rocky playoffs health-wise for Paul, who dealt with a shoulder injury at the start, was placed in COVID-19 protocols during the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers and also had issues with his hand and wrist.

Paul is one of the best point guards of all time and will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He made 11 All-Star Games, earned eight First Team All-Defense nods and 10 All-NBA teams.

In the all-time statistical rankings, Paul is fifth in total assists and steals.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

12 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

17 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Report: Chris Paul opts out of final year with Suns, will become free agent