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While it’s not expected that Chris Paul will remain with the Washington Wizards for long once he gets traded from Phoenix as part of package for Bradley Beal, the franchise doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to let him go for nothing.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski appeared on SportsCenter on Monday to discuss Paul’s future in the nation’s capital and reported that if the Wizards aren’t able to find a suitable trade partner, they aren’t going to rush and buy out Paul’s contract, making him a free agent.
“The Wizards are in no hurry, I’m told, to start discussing the possibility of a contract buyout,” Wojnarowski said.
Wojnarowski also reported that the Wizards have yet to file the trade that would send Paul, Landry Shamet, a package of second-round picks and pick swaps to Washington. They are looking for a third team so that they can get Paul to a contender.
The Wizards reportedly want to see if they can get some sort of asset back for him, whether that’s a draft pick or an expiring contract. Although, Wojnarowski sees that as a difficult proposition at the moment.
It also isn’t totally out of the question that Washington tries to keep Paul as its starting point guard next season, especially if it’s able to bring back both Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porziņģis, its two biggest possible free agents this offseason.
Both Kuzma and Porziņģis have player options. And since the Wizards apparently aren’t trying to be really bad next season, per Wojnarowski, they could pair those two with Paul and have a solid core.
There’s already one team that seems to be firmly in the mix for Paul, however. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported Sunday that the Clippers are interested in reuniting with the 38-year-old point guard and will pursue a trade.
Paul spent six seasons in Los Angeles, arguably the best years of his illustrious career.
The 12-time All-Star would still be a great addition to any squad across the league despite coming off one of the rougher statistical campaigns of his career. In 59 games last season, Paul averaged a career-low 13.9 points per game to go along with 8.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 44 percent shooting from the field, his lowest mark since the 2018-19 season in Houston.
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