If the Golden State Warriors are contemplating a rebuild centered around Stephen Curry before Thursday’s trade deadline, it seems unlikely that Chris Paul will be among the assets moving in the opposite direction.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, sources indicate that CP3 is also considered unlikely to be traded.
Regarding potential trade candidates for the Warriors, rising young talent Jonathan Kuminga is reportedly off the table for trade discussions, as stated by Fischer. Meanwhile, Andrew Wiggins has been at the center of significant trade talks across the league.
Another consideration might be Kevon Looney, whose salary of $7.5 million this season makes him an attractive trade asset. Looney has recently been relegated to the bench in favor of a smaller lineup featuring Draymond Green, Kuminga, and Wiggins in the frontcourt.
Wiggins, at 28, presents a compelling option for trade. He’s younger than Paul, highly sought-after as a wing player, and his salary of $24.3 million offers the Warriors flexibility in acquiring potential star talent without being overly restrictive to the acquiring team.
On the other hand, Paul, aged 38, with a salary of $30.8 million, may not offer great value at this stage of his career. While his expiring contract could appeal to teams looking to trim payroll ahead of free agency, his role on the Warriors might be less expendable than Wiggins’.
Replacing Paul’s leadership in the second unit while Curry rests could prove challenging for the Warriors. Paul has maintained solid contributions this season, averaging 8.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 1.1 steals in 27.6 minutes per game, with the team outscoring opponents by four points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, per NBA.com.
Warriors guard Chris Paul joined teammates Lester Quinones and Cory Joseph for some post-practice shooting. He can shoot and condition, but isn’t yet close to a return to play as his left hand heals, Kerr says. “Chris is in great spirits,” he adds: pic.twitter.com/BM2jCPTYS1
— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) February 6, 2024
However, keeping Paul healthy, given his age, remains uncertain for a Warriors team struggling at 22-25 and in need of a turnaround.
Updates from Anthony Slater and Sam Gordon suggest Wiggins’ probable return for the upcoming game, while Paul continues to work on his recovery and conditioning, indicating he still has a role to play for the team.
While the Warriors explore potential roster changes, it appears that Paul remains valued within the team, with no indication that he’s being actively pursued for trade.
