FILE — Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) against the Milwaukee Bucks during game one of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE – Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul plans to play a 17th season in 2021-22 with no designs on retirement following his first career trip to the NBA Finals.
Paul, 36, has a player option on his contract to address before his future is fully settled in Phoenix, his third team in as many seasons.
“I mean, it will take a while to process this or whatnot, but it’s same mentality: Get back to work,” said CP3, who was the first to emerge from the Phoenix locker room after Tuesday’s loss in Game 6, even ahead of head coach Monty Williams.
“I ain’t retiring, if that’s what you’re asking. That’s out. So, back to work,” said Paul.
CP3 declined to provide insight as to how his contract situation might play out. His $44.2 million player option would be difficult to walk away from, but it could also be leverage to fetch a multi-year deal out of the Suns.
"I'm grateful and I feel for (our guys). But I also expressed to them, now we know what it takes to get here."
Though the Suns' 2020-21 season ended in heartbreak in the NBA Finals, their emphatic resurgence was a triumph.
Read more on this breakthrough journey 👇
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 21, 2021
There is also the prospect of CP3 moving on again, considering his family continues to make Los Angeles its primary home and CP3’s pal LeBron James could use a point guard.
Williams left little doubt where his allegiances lie in the CP3 conversation.
“He’s a generational player, I said that 11 years ago when I coached him in New Orleans,” Williams said. “And everywhere he’s gone, the team has won. They have improved. He’s been close. He was an injury away from getting here before, but he along with Book, to lead a team that’s never been there to this point says a lot about their talent, their dedication, the will to win. … He’s done it everywhere he’s gone.
“So, in speaking of his career, you’re not going to find many point guards ahead of him and you would be hard-pressed to find a lot of players ahead of him when you talk about all-time greats.”