Can the Golden State Warriors find transfer options for Chris Paul?

It’s fair to say the Warriors raised eyebrows when they signed the former Suns playmaker. How was a team that was already well-balanced, if not a contender, going to integrate a player who was used to being a starter into a team that had one of the best players in league history playing the same position? Obviously, it didn’t work out and here we are.

Warriors have a problem with Chris Paul

According to reports, the Golden State Warriors are still looking for a trade partner for veteran guard Chris Paul. According to ESPN, the 39-year-old has reached an agreement with the franchise that will push back the deadline for guaranteeing his $30 million salary for the upcoming 2024-25 season until the start of free agency on Sunday.

We can only assume the Warriors will use the extra two days to explore potential trade options before his contract becomes guaranteed prior to free agency. For this reason, it is reasonable to assume that the Warriors – assuming they can find a trade option – will use his $30 million contract to provide leverage in any possible trade. As for the Warriors’ apparent hopes, reports indicate that the team is currently pursuing a sign-and-trade deal with Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Of course, there is another possibility: The Warriors could release Paul before his $30 million salary is guaranteed. If that turns out to be the case, it would admittedly be a strange outcome given the history between Paul and the Warriors. After all, this was a player who was the main reason the team was eliminated from the playoffs in 2014 and was a key piece despite unsuccessful efforts in 2018 and 2019. The point is, we’re talking about a player the Warriors wanted for some time and subsequently pursued until they got him. However, Paul’s averages of 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in a career-low 26.4 minutes per game didn’t generate much excitement, and that’s where we are. As we always say, stay tuned.