Chris Paul on Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker reaching 15,000 career points
Former Suns point guard Chris Paul spoke to the media about Devin Booker reaching 15,000 career points in Phoenix’s win over the San Antonio Spurs.
There just may be something to the Chris Paul reuniting with the Phoenix Suns chatter.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Monday, June 30, on NBATV the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers are “options” for Paul to play this upcoming 2025-26 season.
Devin Booker and Paul led to the Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals and the league’s best record at 64-18 the following 2021-22 season.
Phoenix traded Paul to Washington in a deal to land Bradley Beal. Paul would later start the 2023-24 season with the Golden State Warriors as the Wizards traded him in acquiring Jordan Poole.
NBA sources informed The Republic they’re hearing Paul, an unrestricted free agent, has interest in playing for either NBA team in Los Angeles in the Lakers or Clippers, or the Suns. Paul’s family resides in Los Angeles. The veteran point guard played six seasons with the Clippers (2011-17).
Paul has let it be known he wants to play closer to his family. The 40-year-old played all 82 regular-season games with the San Antonio Spurs in his 20th NBA season. Paul averaged a career-low 8.8 points on 42.7% shooting (37.7% from 3), 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Paul’s contract with the Spurs was a one-year deal for $10.9 million.
NBA teams began negotiations beginning June 30 at 3 p.m. PT.
The Suns have gone multiple routes at point guard since Paul was traded away. They’ve had Devin Booker run the show with Kevin Durant and Beal work as additional ball handlers and playmakers.
Phoenix brought in Tyus Jones last offseason. He began 2024-25 as a starter, but eventually lost his starting job as two-way player Collin Gillespie saw increased minutes at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The Suns won just 36 games. Jones averaged 10.2 points on 44.8% shooting and 5.3 assists to a career-best 1.1 turnovers. Shooting 41.4% from the field, Jones started 58 of his 81 games in Phoenix.
Jones signed a one-year deal with the Suns last year for $3 million. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday, June 30, that Jones has agreed to a one-year deal with the Orlando Magic for $7 million.
Mike Budenholzer was fired as coach after one season to begin a series of moves that included elevating Brian Gregory to general manager, shifting James Jones from that role to senior adviser, trading Kevin Durant and acquiring center Mark Williams from Charlotte during last week’s NBA Draft.
Gillespie has agreed to a one-year deal for the 2025-26 season, league sources confirmed to The Republic. Charania reported the news first Monday.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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