NBA free agents began negotiating with the teams at 3 p.m. on Monday, and Phoenix Suns fans were eagerly awaiting news about Star Point Guard Chris Paul.
You didn’t have to wait long.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Chris Paul agreed to stay in Phoenix on a four-year contract that, according to Paul’s agents, could be worth up to $ 120 million.
Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes also reported on the deal.
The Republic of Arizona confirmed the deal.
Paul declined his $ 44.2 million player option on Sunday to become an unrestricted free agent.
He helped the Suns advance to the 2021 NBA Finals, where the team lost six games to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Phoenix had the second-best record in the NBA with 51:21 in the regular season.
More:Chris Paul’s speculation about Lakers returns after Russell Westbrook’s photo
Previous updates after Chris Paul and freelance agency:
NBC Sports: Paul’s signing at Phoenix is an “apparently free agency ban”
Kurt Helin predicts the Suns will sign Paul on a three-year contract valued at more than $ 90 million.
He wrote: “Some sources say more than $ 100 million, but the bottom line remains the same – Chris Paul is not leaving the Suns. It’s no surprise. … Sarver is ready to go. He admitted the luxury tax is coming and he will pay it, but saying it and actually writing the check can be two different things. Cameron Payne is an unreserved free agent that some teams are keeping an eye on. Ayton and Mikal Bridges can be extended. The Suns need a backup center and more to complete the roster. It’s going to be expensive, but Paul will cost the team a little less next season – in the name of more guaranteed money and long-term security for CP3 – something that will work for both him and the Suns. “
USA TODAY Sports: Chris Paul is key to Suns’ offseason
Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina write, “The Suns’ could have either an easy or an incredibly difficult offseason. There’s nothing in between. Chris Paul turned down a $ 44 million player option, and now the Suns must negotiate with Paul over to keep him a long term contract. Even at the age of 36, Paul has stuck and played at all-star level. Now is not the time to worry about his age. Sign him again and grant rookie at the same time. Renewals for Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. The Suns are giving Paul the best opportunity to win an NBA title and make top bucks at the same time, so it’s up to the Suns not to screw it up. “
More:GM James Jones believes Suns will be “tempting” to Chris Paul as negotiations on a free agency begin Monday
USA TODAY Sports: Suns are the best option for Chris Paul
Jeff Zillgitt and Mark Medina write: “Paul, 36, has shown that he can lead a team to the finals and the Suns would love to have him back. He has one year left and $ 44.2 million under his contract to pay him so much starting salary that he could go for a two- or three-year contract that will earn him more overall. He will have options, but which ones will be better than the situation he has with the suns? “
New York Post: The New York Knicks are targeting Chris Paul
Marc Berman writes: “The Grand Slam would mean that Rose would find a way to convince his former favorite customer Chris Paul to return to the final with the Knicks as champions of the Eastern Conference instead of signing again with Phoenix. The Knicks are one of only six teams with a cap space of more than $ 20 million. You’re just one of two teams who can make Paul a whopping $ 123 million three-year deal, but the rumbling rumor is that Paul will make it back to the Valley of the Sun when he turns 37. The Suns can offer Paul $ 144 million for three years, but owner Robert Sarver sounded like he had his limits last week. “
Bleacher Report: Pelicans set their sights on prying Chris Paul away from Suns
Jake Fischer writes: “The biggest fish, Chris Paul, seems almost destined to return to Phoenix. Situation, the New Orleans Pelicans set out to pry Paul away from Phoenix. The Pelicans even attempted to get Paul in a deal before last season, sources said. Head coach Willie Green has just been hired by the Suns Green is known to have a close relationship with Paul. The All-Star actually advocated bringing Houston management on board as assistants during Paul’s tenure with the Rockets, sources B / R said. But Paul found his way out of Phoenix, and for Los Angeles in particular, appeared to be due to complications salary cap as well as a long rivalry between the Suns and Lakers always unlikely. When Steve Nash came to LA in 2012, Sarver’s front office demanded that the deal become a sign-and-trade that sends two prospects forward to the first round returns to the suns return.”
Fansit: Chris Paul is expected to sign with Suns again
Gerald Bourguet writes: “Paul could sign out and earn less per season if he were given a three-year contract in the $ 90-100 million range that would give Phoenix the room to re-sign substitute cameron Payne and complete rookie expansions Bridges and Ayton. CP3 knows its prime is fading, so it wouldn’t make sense to start all over again. The Suns are on an upward trend with this young core after this fun and unexpected finale, and as long as the front office is willing to pay, as all season suggests, CP3 is unlikely to hear any other offers on the open market at all. “
New York Daily News: Chris Paul May Not Long Be a Free Agent
Stefan Bondy writes: “The Knicks were seen as a threat to leverage Paul due to the point guard’s longstanding relationship with team president Leon Rose. Last year the Knicks flirted with the swap for Paul, but the team wasn’t in a good position to” deny To meet the veteran’s desire for title bouts. Since then, the Knicks have exceeded expectations, but the Suns are fresh from a trip to the NBA Finals. “
Speculation that Chris Paul might join the Lakers heated up (at least among fans of Los Angeles) over the weekend when a photo of Chris Paul with Russell Westbrook was circulating in Los Angeles.
The Sports Rush wrote on the photo: “Chris Paul today turned down his $ 44.2 million player option with the Suns. Not long after that, he was spotted chilling out with Russell Westbrook in LA. This sparked a lot of rumors about Chris Paul and Lakers, which happened to be extinguished when the Lakers got Russ. Many Lakers believers expect this to be a sign that the “Point God” is joining LeBron James and the Lakers. All of this could be nothing, however, and it could just be two friends hanging out.A widely speculated reason Chris Paul turned down his option is because the Suns may offer him a more team-friendly deal.
More:Chris Paul thanks fans on Instagram, but will he be working with Suns again next season?
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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