Warriors are active on the trade market with $30 million All-Star: Report

Chris Paul’s time with the Golden State Warriors is coming to an end as they are using him as trade bait, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

“They have been actively looking for ways to make major improvements, using Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed $30 million contract as a flexible tool. According to league sources, there have been discussions with Paul about potentially moving the guarantee date from June 28 to July if necessary,” Slater wrote on June 22.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr pushed for Paul’s return because he values ​​his leadership qualities.

“Chris has been fantastic, not only on the court but in his leadership role. … He’s one of our best players. … I love coaching Chris (Paul). I really hope we get him back next year,” Kerr told reporters after the Warriors’ season ended with a play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings on April 16.

Paul, 39, was still a serviceable point guard despite his advanced age. Although he posted career lows in almost every area – 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26.4 minutes – he was still the best backup point guard in the league, leading the Warriors in assists and steals.

Chris Paul’s sacrifices were in vain

Paul, who came through a trade from Jordan Poole last season, sacrificed his personal number in the hopes of being able to keep up with the Warriors.

But it was all in vain as the Warriors missed out on the playoffs.

“Yeah, I mean, with Chris, everything, everything is like that,” Kerr told reporters after the Warriors’ elimination. “He’s one of the most professional guys I’ve ever met. He sacrificed so much that he came off the bench. He sacrificed so much that for the first time in his career, he not only came off the bench, but sometimes played 18 minutes, like the other day.

It was incredible for a Hall of Fame player to do something like that without complaining, but instead encouraging the others on the bench and the coaches to work with him and get through the entire season.”

While Kerr was hoping for Paul’s return, the four-time championship coach and former general manager of the Phoenix Suns understands the business side of the league.

“I’m glad I coached him and hope to coach him again next year, but we’ll see how it all goes,” Kerr said.

What’s next for Chris Paul if no trade happens?

If the Warriors can’t find a way to trade, there’s a good chance he’ll be released, according to Bleacher Report salary cap expert Eric Pincus.

And once he does that, Pincus says he will sign with Warriors rivals Los Angeles Lakers.

“Chris Paul is probably going to be a free agent,” Pincus said on “Buha’s Block” on May 20. “There’s a reasonable chance he gets traded or just released by the Warriors. LeBron (James) and (Paul) obviously have a close relationship. There’s a universe where the Lakers sign Chris Paul. I don’t think that’s outrageous.”

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Chris Paul as a real possibility. That makes a lot of sense to me…Is Chris coming for minimum wage? I don’t know…I don’t want to say he’s cheap for the Lakers, but in the absence of a better offer, I could see it happening.”