If the Phoenix Suns do move on from Chris Paul this summer, there are reportedly several point guards they have shown previous interest in, including major rotation players from the Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
One of the biggest stories in the NBA this week — besides the Finals — has been the developing situation between the Phoenix Suns and league legend Chris Paul. The future Hall-of-Famer’s injury woes and his contract has made him expandable as the Suns want to add better depth around superstars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
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Trading Paul is possible — if they don’t keep him — but some sort of release is more likely. If the team does cut ties with the 12-time All-Star they will need to fill his position in the starting lineup with a competent player but at a far cheaper rate.
Phoenix Suns record (’22-’23): 45-37
On Friday, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote about the situation with the Phoenix Suns and Paul and the possible replacements. Moving Paul was something the organization considered during the season, and Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier was reportedly a player they looked at and could be under consideration this summer.
Beyond Rozier, two names that have been on the Suns’ radar in the past and could be in the offseason are a pair of key backcourt players from a pair of playoff teams this year. The first is New York Knicks six-man and scoring dynamo Immanuel Quickley. A player some in the organization hold in “high regard.”
The other is impending free agent, and starting Miami Heat point guard Gabe Vincent. Fischer claims the Phoenix Suns have “monitored” the player that took the starting job from Kyle Lowry this season and has been huge for the Eastern Conference champions during their historic run to the finals.
A trade would be the only way the Suns could land Quickley but he is a favorite of many inside the organization and is likely to be given an extension this year. Vincent could be had on the open market at a reasonable rate after making just three million combined in his first two seasons in the league.