CHRIS PAUL TO BE WAIVED?

[Uncle_Gene]

I think he'll be waived and re-signed. Ishbia has a plan.

Can't wait for the draft and for the free agent period to begin.

[ShelC]

If he's waived and re-signed, are we still committing to him starting and playing 30-32 minutes? Does that move the needle for us in the starting lineup? We've seen him struggle defensively as it is, he's not exactly comfortable off the ball. Freeing up the money is a big part of this to open up some exceptions and add depth, but there's also his actual play and fit that's questionable. His value as a playmaker and leader is still immense (this will get some eyerolls) but you can't let him go without a very good plan to add others. It's just a tough spot for the org, especially with Book and KD who may not want to see CP play elsewhere.

Is there a scenario where's brought back to play off the bench and then maybe close games? Would we sign someone else to start and play off of Book and KD but split time with CP and be on the bench down the stretch? Does that even work or make sense? Or would we start CP and just pull in early and limit his minutes?

I still really like the idea of Gabe Vincent, who may fit that description - he's started games, averages about 25mpg, isn't a true PG but more a streak combo guard who wouldn't get in the way of our Big 2. Could that be a duo that works? We could try the same thing with Cam Payne for a season but given his history of injuries and inconsistency it'd be risky.

[Flagrant Fowl]

I think there's a near zero chance Paul is back with the Suns for the coming season. It just wouldn't make sense to put out this weeks news if they had a strong preference to retain him.

We really don't have much of an indication which direction they prefer post-Paul. In a simulation style NBA2K world, I'd like to pair Booker with a defensive ball handler like Caruso or Quickley.

[Split T]

What about Bruce Brown or Donte Divencenzo?

[ShelC]

I like Brown's energy and hustle but I'm not sure he's a starting guard. DDV might work as a more solid option starting next to Book. Not sure how his defense is holding up these days tho after the injury.

[Split T]

Brown started 31 games this year and averaged 14/4/4 while shooting 51/41/78 for a .603 TS%. I would gladly take that next to Book and KD as he can shoot a bit, play-make a bit, and he defends.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Both guys pass the smart and high effort test, no question. I just don't know if either guy is right for a starting spot on a team with title aspirations. They're always going to be maximized off of the bench on the best teams. Both need a little more juice on the ball for me to be comfortable with them in a starting role. I'd say the same for Caruso, but his defense is a level above Brown and DDV.

[Split T]

Here’s the math for if CP3 signs with another team after we waive him

[Flagrant Fowl]

That's interesting. I want the Lakers to get squeezed into signing him for a non-minimum deal more everyday.

[Mori Chu]

If he's waived and re-signed, are we still committing to him starting and playing 30-32 minutes? Does that move the needle for us in the starting lineup? We've seen him struggle defensively as it is, he's not exactly comfortable off the ball. Freeing up the money is a big part of this to open up some exceptions and add depth, but there's also his actual play and fit that's questionable. His value as a playmaker and leader is still immense (this will get some eyerolls) but you can't let him go without a very good plan to add others. It's just a tough spot for the org, especially with Book and KD who may not want to see CP play elsewhere.

Is there a scenario where's brought back to play off the bench and then maybe close games? Would we sign someone else to start and play off of Book and KD but split time with CP and be on the bench down the stretch? Does that even work or make sense? Or would we start CP and just pull in early and limit his minutes?

I still really like the idea of Gabe Vincent, who may fit that description - he's started games, averages about 25mpg, isn't a true PG but more a streak combo guard who wouldn't get in the way of our Big 2. Could that be a duo that works? We could try the same thing with Cam Payne for a season but given his history of injuries and inconsistency it'd be risky.

I think it's easy to focus on the tough playoff series we recently lost and decide that CP3 is completely worthless. In practice we have a long 82-game season that also matters, and CP3 would be good to have around for that long haul. He's a talented and valuable player who just happens to be old and get injured from time to time. I don't mind playing him more minutes in the regular season and then fewer minutes in the playoffs, if he does stick around. And I doubt he'd stay here just to come off the bench; another quasi-contender like the Lakers will offer him a starting role and he'll take it.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Some of the takes I've heard on podcasts the last few days have me wondering how many of those people actually watched Chris Paul in the last calendar year. His legs are basically shot and his Coach Paul style just doesn't work when he's the least athletic guy on the court. He's a lot more late career Nash than late career Kidd, IMO.

[specialsauce]

I would love to find a way to turn DA into Austin Reaves. I’m not looking for giving Reaves the max, but if he would take 4 yr/80 mill in a sign and trade?

Send DA to Dallas and Kyrie and some Dallas picks to LA

[Superbone]

If he's waived and re-signed, are we still committing to him starting and playing 30-32 minutes? Does that move the needle for us in the starting lineup? We've seen him struggle defensively as it is, he's not exactly comfortable off the ball. Freeing up the money is a big part of this to open up some exceptions and add depth, but there's also his actual play and fit that's questionable. His value as a playmaker and leader is still immense (this will get some eyerolls) but you can't let him go without a very good plan to add others. It's just a tough spot for the org, especially with Book and KD who may not want to see CP play elsewhere.

Is there a scenario where's brought back to play off the bench and then maybe close games? Would we sign someone else to start and play off of Book and KD but split time with CP and be on the bench down the stretch? Does that even work or make sense? Or would we start CP and just pull in early and limit his minutes?

I still really like the idea of Gabe Vincent, who may fit that description - he's started games, averages about 25mpg, isn't a true PG but more a streak combo guard who wouldn't get in the way of our Big 2. Could that be a duo that works? We could try the same thing with Cam Payne for a season but given his history of injuries and inconsistency it'd be risky.

I don't think it should be his choice. It's up to the team to use him to our best advantage if he sticks around. Coming off the bench would improve his chances at longevity.

[Mori Chu]

Some of the takes I've heard on podcasts the last few days have me wondering how many of those people actually watched Chris Paul in the last calendar year. His legs are basically shot and his Coach Paul style just doesn't work when he's the least athletic guy on the court. He's a lot more late career Nash than late career Kidd, IMO.

I don't want to position myself as a CP3 apologist or defender. He struggled heavily in the playoffs this year, had injuries, and was clearly not as good as the year before. But I think your message is a bit too harsh. He still put up 14 pts on 44/37.5/83 splits, 9 ast, 4 reb, 1.5 stl, 1.9 to in 32 mpg. He played 59/82 games. I am -not- saying those are All-NBA numbers or whatever, but 9 assists is nothing to sneeze at. Saying his legs are basically shot is an overstatement IMO.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... lch01.html

[JeremyG]

Here’s the math for if CP3 signs with another team after we waive him

He also posted this clarification:



So it seems like this also means that Gambo is wrong when he says that the Suns re-signing Paul at the vet min would not add anything to their cap hit? Unless the salary actually stays at $15.8M if he re-signs. Hmm.

[Split T]

Ya it would add the 1.9 million or so I believe

[Flagrant Fowl]

Some of the takes I've heard on podcasts the last few days have me wondering how many of those people actually watched Chris Paul in the last calendar year. His legs are basically shot and his Coach Paul style just doesn't work when he's the least athletic guy on the court. He's a lot more late career Nash than late career Kidd, IMO.

I don't want to position myself as a CP3 apologist or defender. He struggled heavily in the playoffs this year, had injuries, and was clearly not as good as the year before. But I think your message is a bit too harsh. He still put up 14 pts on 44/37.5/83 splits, 9 ast, 4 reb, 1.5 stl, 1.9 to in 32 mpg. He played 59/82 games. I am -not- saying those are All-NBA numbers or whatever, but 9 assists is nothing to sneeze at. Saying his legs are basically shot is an overstatement IMO.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... lch01.html

OK, "shot" is probably too harsh, but the guy literally wouldn't jump for at least half of his "jump shots" and it drove me mad all season. I thought he was just easing into form early in the season, then I started to realize that it's actually how he shoots now.

[ShelC]

His midrange shot used to be automatic. I felt like it dropped off significantly this year from him either not being able to create space off his defender and not getting the lift he needed to get the shot up and over the rim. That won't get any better with time and even if his defense was slipping last year, he could make it up with the elbow and top of the key jumper. If he can't be a threat shooting the ball, he's obviously much more of a liability. Even when he was shooting the 3 off the catch, which did improve over the year, it looked like he was really putting everything into the shot with his legs.

[Superbone]

[Flagrant Fowl]

Greene: Tease new information

Woj: Lots of coulds and maybes, no actual information

Talking Heads: Chris Paul has had a great career. He should go to a team that can win a title.

Me: Does Jalen Rose wear a hair piece?

Classic ESPN.