The Golden State Warriors have decided to release point guard Chris Paul, who is now an unrestricted free agent. This decision was made in order to avoid guaranteeing his $30 million contract for next season by the Sunday deadline. Despite attempts to find a trade partner before the deadline, the Warriors ultimately released Paul after failing to do so.
At 39 years old, Paul’s scoring abilities have declined from his peak as an All-Star, but he still possesses solid playmaking and leadership skills. In his last season with the Warriors, he averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 turnovers, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range. He may be a desirable option for a contending team looking for point guard depth.
Along with parting ways with Paul, the Warriors are also facing uncertainty with five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson as he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Talks with Thompson have reportedly stalled, leading him to explore his options in free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and Philadelphia 76ers are all teams reportedly on Thompson’s radar as he meets with them to discuss potential opportunities. The Warriors are now focused on reshaping their roster around Stephen Curry in anticipation of competition in the Western Conference next season.
