Phoenix Suns superstar Chris Paul has reportedly decided to decline his player option for the 2021-22 season.
Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul is declining his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season and becoming an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2021
Chris Paul has until midnight ET to decide on his $44M player option, but there’s optimism that if he does decide against picking it up that he and the Suns can reach a new deal when free agency opens on Monday night, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
Paul is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game in 70 appearances for the Suns.
The 36-year-old made it to the NBA Finals for the first time in his lengthy career, but he and the Suns were unable to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the title in six games.
Given his age, Paul could be looking for one last long-term contract in free agency. He is reportedly expected to seek a three-year, $100 million deal this offseason, something that the Suns will surely have no problem offering him.
The Wake Forest University product has career averages of 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game.
