Suns reportedly have had discussions about trading for Chris Paul

Chris Paul Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Could the Phoenix Suns really get Chris Paul?

Despite their success in the NBA’s Orlando bubble, the Oklahoma City Thunder and their stockpile of draft picks are likely headed for a full-on rebuild with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the focal point. While this desire has put future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul squarely in the rumor mill, Paul might end up with another rising Western Conference team.

The Phoenix Suns, fresh off a perfect run in the bubble, are reported to have interest in trading for Paul, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps. Paul could take on a co-star role alongside Devin Booker on the wing and Deandre Ayton in the paint.

Paul averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 assists per game last year, proving that he can still be a truly elite point guard at age 35. The biggest question mark surrounding Paul, however, is his contract, which is supposed to pay him in excess of $40 million over each of the next two seasons.

The Suns came up just short of the postseason despite a point guard selection that included just Ricky Rubio, Jevon Carter, Elie Okobo and Cameron Payne. If this deal happens, Paul would be an immediate upgrade in that area, and he’d be a perfect mentor for whomever Phoenix picks in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft.

As impressive as the Suns were in the bubble, they aren’t a team that’s ready to compete for a championship, and Paul will likely put championship prospects on his list of prerequisites. However, if the Suns could pull this deal off and Paul accepts a trade to link up with former head coach Monty Williams, Phoenix might finally be able to get back to the postseason.