Phoenix Suns fans wanted Chris Paul to return to the desert, but another reunion won him over. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday morning that Paul agreed to a deal with the Clippers for what will "likely" be his final season in the NBA.
Paul, who turned 40 in May, has been in the league since he was drafted No. 4 overall by New Orleans in 2005. He'll have one final shot to win a title in Los Angeles, a place he wanted to be after spending the past few seasons away from his family.
Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, CAA's Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan and Jessica Holtz told ESPN. Paul had multiple suitors, but chose the contending Clippers and their shared history in L.A. for his likely final, 21st NBA season. pic.twitter.com/qC640MFFeI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025
It stings for the Suns that Paul chose LA. He would've been a great leader and voice to have on and off the floor. Not only that, but he would've addressed the team's point guard problem. Phoenix entered the offseason needing a center (it got two) and a point guard.
Having Chris Paul as the starting point guard would've allowed the offense to run through Devin Booker, rather than having Booker set up the offense. Paul wouldn't have fit the direction that new head coach Jordan Ott wants the Suns to go in — playing with pace — but he's still the floor general the team needed.
Chris Paul returning to LA leaves Suns with point guard void
Phoenix signed Tyus Jones to a one-year deal last offseason to fill its point guard void. He played 81 games (58 starts) and averaged 5.3 assists per game, losing his starting job during the season. Jones considered returning to Phoenix in free agency, but left for Orlando.
The Suns thought (or hoped) that Paul would step in and be their point guard, but they're now left with more questions than answers. As things currently stand, Booker will be the starting point guard, with Jalen Green at the No. 2 spot. It's not an ideal position to be in for an organization that desperately wants to contend for a title. The odds are already stacked against Phoenix.
Mat Ishbia talked about a culture reset after the Suns' 2024-25 season ended without a trip to the Play-In Tournament. Hiring a first-time head coach, trading Kevin Durant, and buying out Bradley Beal's contract are steps that Phoenix has taken to hit the reset button. Paul would have helped to reestablish the winning culture that the Suns want.
Oh, well. It's hard to blame Paul for wanting to spend his final season in LA with his family, playing for a team that has a better chance of competing for a championship than Phoenix.