Warriors Rumors: Chris Paul Seen as ‘Key Player’ in Offseason, Could Be Traded, Cut
Doric SamApril 17, 2024
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After the Golden State Warriors’ 2023-24 season came to an end with a loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament on Tuesday night, they are facing some important questions this offseason.
According to The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, one of the biggest uncertainties is the status of veteran point guard Chris Paul, who league sources identified “as a key player in the Warriors’ offseason” because of the chances that he could be traded or cut.
Murdock noted that Paul “has been a valuable veteran voice in the locker room and helped Golden State finish with the third-best bench-scoring unit in the league.” The soon-to-be 39-year-old averaged a career-low 9.2 points in 58 games with 18 starts in his first year in Golden State, though he led the team with 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
The longtime floor general also made an impact on the Warriors’ younger players in just one year. Rising forward Jonathan Kuminga told Murdock earlier this season that Paul taught him “just how to be a professional. How to take care of your body, and stuff like that … just little things on the floor.”
However, the 19-year veteran is facing durability concerns at this stage in his career. He was forced to miss nearly two months of this season after suffering a fractured left hand. He’s played less than 60 games in each of the past two years.
Paul has a non-guaranteed salary of $30 million remaining on his contract for the 2024-25 season, so he could become an unrestricted free agent if the Warriors decide to cut him. Golden State would be wise to explore the possibility of flipping him for other assets, as the team has multiple holes to fill this offseason.
If Paul’s time with the Warriors comes to an end after just one season, he will likely look to join a contender that would help him compete for an NBA championship that has eluded him throughout his otherwise stellar career.
