The Phoenix Suns made the boldest move of the summer so far, by waiving the Point God, Chris Paul. A move that stunned many, even if the money he was due to make this coming season was essentially impossible to shoehorn next to that of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton.
With Paul out of the picture in Phoenix, for now at least, it remains to be seen what other moves the organization will make this summer. Already they have completely overhauled their coaching staff, and in getting their business with Paul done early, the Suns look set to continue leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a championship.
Although Paul found himself as the odd man out with the Suns, there were several factors at play in the decision of the franchise to let him go.
He is an all-time great, potentially the greatest point guard in the history of the franchise (and that is certainly saying something), and a player who absolutely could have been of use to the Suns when they get into deep waters in the offseason next year. At 38-years-old, health was becoming more of an issue, but Paul was still capable of having a positive impact on most nights.
Defensively he may have slipped considerably, but this was not the reason he was let go. Coach Vogel has already spoken about his desire to have “the big fella” Ayton be the first line of defence for the team anyway, just as he should be. It would have been expensive, but Paul could also have come off the bench.