Warriors make move to pave way for Chris Paul trade
Oct 7, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul (3) reacts after a foul is called in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors have given themselves more time to find a potential trade suitor for Chris Paul.
Paul has a non-guaranteed salary of $30 million for next season. The salary was originally set to become guaranteed on June 28, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the two sides have agreed to extend that deadline to Sunday.
ESPN Sources: Golden State and Chris Paul intend to move back the date to guarantee the $30 million on his 2024-2025 contract to the start of free agency on Sunday. Deadline was originally today. This gives Warriors time to keep exploring trades.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2024
The deadline for the Warriors to make a decision on Paul’s contract now coincidences with the start of free agency. That means Golden State will have 48 additional hours to discuss potential trades involving Paul.
While Paul was reduced to a bench role this season and averaged just 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, his non-guaranteed salary makes him a somewhat valuable trade chip. A team that acquired him would have the option of either dumping him outright or keeping him around as veteran depth (either at his $30 million figure or at a reduced rate in a waive-and-re-sign scenario).
Paul’s days as a starter in the NBA are likely finished. However, he does have multiple potential suitors in just the West alone, so his favorable contract situation could help facilitate a trade.
