Chris Paul leveraged $100M offer from Pelicans for deal with Suns
Before the start of free agency, star point guard Chris Paul went the expected route of opting of the final year of his contract.
Shortly after the decision, he elected to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns on a four-year deal worth $120 million. However, it was a process that included Paul using the bargaining chip of his former team, New Orleans Pelicans, to get a fourth year out of the Suns.
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“Chris Paul, who [New Orleans] offered $100 million from what I understand,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently stated on the “Hoop Collective” podcast. “It helped convince Phoenix to give him at least [a] partially guaranteed fourth year… I think Chris entertained it for some period of time.”
Paul may have always planned on return to the Suns, but he wanted to secure his future beyond a three-year deal. There is no certainty that he will be able to command that type of money at point in his career.
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The 36-year-old used all the leverage he could to fully secure his NBA future through age 40. It was expected that Paul would garner a three-year deal worth between $90 million to $100 million.
It’s a bit surprising that he managed to squeeze a fourth year out of the Suns. However, his impact on the franchise was undeniable this past season as he helped push them to their first NBA Finals appearance in 28 years.
With Paul in tow, the Suns will remain a significant factor in the Western Conference playoff picture.
