Chris Paul may be on his way back to the Phoenix Suns, according to an ESPN NBA insider. Paul spent three years in Phoenix before he was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of the deal that sent Bradley Beal to Phoenix.
However, Paul was quickly traded again to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jordan Poole and draft picks.
Now, two years later, Paul is a free agent once again. As he potentially enters the final season of his Hall of Fame career, reports suggest he wants to play closer to his family, who live in Los Angeles, and Phoenix fits the bill.
Ramona Shelburne Reports Suns Are Leading Candidate to Sign CP3
On NBA Today, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne gave insight into the Suns and Paul’s possible mutual interest.
“I still think that’s [Phoenix] the most likely spot that he ends up in. Devin Booker loves him. They had a great thing going. And what have we said for the past two years? ‘They lack leadership.’ You got one of the best leaders in Sports right out there”, Shelburne said.
The Suns have made some big offseason moves, starting with the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Phoenix then acquired assets, helping them get center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick, forward Rasheer Fleming with the 31st pick, and guard Koby Brea with the 41st pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The moves did not stop there; the Suns traded for former Hornets center Mark Williams.
Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star, helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993 in 2021. Phoenix took a 2–0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks before dropping four straight games, letting the championship slip through their fingers.
Still, CP3’s time in the desert was widely seen as a success, and many felt the Suns never should have parted ways with the “Point God” in the first place.
During his three-year stint in Phoenix, Paul averaged 15.1 points, 9.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the field, 36% from three, and 87% from the free-throw line across 194 games. He also led the league in assists during the 2021–22 season, dishing out 10.8 assists per game.
While most players tend to wear down with age, Paul defied expectations last season. At 40 years old, he played in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs, the first time he’s done so in his career. Though his numbers weren’t as impactful as earlier in his career, he still remained highly effective, averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game.
Paul could reunite with Devin Booker in Phoenix if the Suns decide to make another bold move this offseason. His return could provide much-needed leadership and help stabilize a roster that’s coming off one of its most disappointing seasons in recent memory, as they aim to reestablish themselves in the loaded Western Conference.
