Waive or trade? Chris Paul wants to stay with Suns but could be out by end of the month

(Reuters) - The Phoenix Suns are expected to waive veteran point guard Chris Paul after three seasons with the team, Turner Sports reported Thursday.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, however, reported that Paul still wants to team up with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, and for the Suns continue to iron out a guaranteed deal. 

Paul continues to want to return to Suns and partner with Booker and Durant, sources said. Nevertheless, Paul and his reps want organization to make a decision well ahead of June 28th deadline to guarantee his deal so that Paul can proceed into marketplace if he’s indeed waived.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 7, 2023

The Athletic's Shams Charania also said there are multiple options for the CP3.

Sources: The Suns and Chris Paul are exploring multiple options, including a trade, stretching his contract, or waiving and re-signing him in free agency. Phoenix expected to discuss trades ahead of Paul’s June 28 contract date.

Story at @TheAthletic:https://t.co/5EwV2pFLZ6

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 7, 2023

 Paul, 38, is a 12-time All-Star who has been plagued by injuries during the playoffs at various times in his career. He did not play in any of the Suns' last four playoff games against the Denver Nuggets because of a groin strain as Phoenix was eliminated.

 There is one more season remaining on a four-year, $120-million contract Paul signed before the 2020-21 season. He is scheduled to make $15.8 million next season.

 In 59 regular-season games this past season, Paul's scoring and assist averages were down a touch to 13.9 points and 8.9 assists. He has averaged 17.9 points and 9.5 assists over 18 seasons. Paul also shot 44.0% from the field in 2022-23, down from his career mark of 47.2%.

 Paul has appeared in the playoffs in 15 different seasons, including all three with the Suns as he led the team to the NBA Finals in 2021 when the Milwaukee Bucks emerged as champions. He has never won an NBA title.

 The fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets, Paul also has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder prior to his time with the Suns. The Wake Forest product has played in 1,214 regular season games and 149 playoff games in his NBA career.

Paul's 11,501 career assists are third in NBA history, and he is 42nd on the all-time games played list.