Warriors Wave Paul, Making Him a Free Agent – It was a one hit wonder between Paul and the Warriors and they are done making music together. The dynasty known as the Golden State Warriors are waiving veteran point guard Chris Paul prior to the kick off of free agency, according to multiple reports.
The 12-time All-Star and arguably a top-5 point guard of all time, will enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Golden State made the move ahead of a Sunday deadline that would have fully guaranteed Paul’s contract for $30 million in 2024-25. The Warriors reportedly search for trade partners for Paul ahead of Sunday’s 6 pm ET deadline and flat out released him after failing to secure a trade.
Paul played a single season with the Warriors, splitting time as a backcourt mate and backup to Stephen Curry. At 39 years-of-age and in the twilight of his career, his scoring abilities has dwindled significantly since he was in his prime. However, Paul remains a capable distributor and floor general who can put the ball in the basket when it is called for.
In 58 games including 18 starts last season, Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 turnovers and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from the floor and 37.1% from beyond the arc. He could be just what the doctor ordered for a team fighting for a championship in need of point guard depth, stability and leadership.
The Warriors released Paul as they look to reassemble their roster around Curry in hopes of competing in the West next season and for their fifth title of their run.
The future of five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion guard Klay Thompson in Golden State is murky at best, at the start of free agency. Negotiations with the 13-year Warriors veteran have reportedly broken down and gone nowhere slowly as he hits the market as an unrestricted free agent. The Los Angeles Lakers, who his dad Michael played for, Clippers and Dallas Mavericks are among several teams interested in pursuing Thompson’s services.
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Harden, Clippers Agree to 2-Year Deal – James Harden has decided to run it back with the Clippers.
The 10-time All-Star and former league MVP is inking a two-year, $70 million to remain in ‘Tinsel Town’, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. The contract will include a player option in the second season, according to the report.
News of Harden’s deal circulated in the moments before the start of NBA free agency on Sunday evening as Paul George’s future with the franchise hangs in the balance. George reportedly opted out of the remaining one year and $48.7 million on his Clippers contract Saturday in order to test free agency.
George reportedly made plans to meet with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic in addition to the Clippers. Retaining George alongside Harden and Kawhi Leonard is paramount to the Clippers’ hopes of competing for a championship next season, which would be the first in franchise history.
At 34 years old, Harden’s has dipped and he is not the same player who won three scoring titles in his Houston Rockets days and an MVP in his prime. He took on an unfamiliar role with the Clippers last season as the third scoring option behind Leonard and George.
His 16.6 points per game average marked his lowest scoring output since he came off bench with the Oklahoma City Thunder behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in 2011-12. It is the first time since that season that he averaged fewer than 20 points per game.
He still showed off his superior playmaking ability handing out 8.5 assists along with 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. His 4.8 free throw attempts per game were the third-fewest of his 15-year career.
Harden also had his healthiest campaign in years. He played 72 out of a possible 82 games for the Clippers, the first time he has played more than 68 games since the 2018-19 season.
With Harden going back home to join the Clippers as the third member of their big three, Los Angeles finished in fourth place in the stacked Western Conference at 51-31. With Leonard injured and absent for four games, the Clippers suffered a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the eventual Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks.
Harden is still capable of putting up points in bunches when needed. He raised his scoring while averaging 21.2 points, eight assists and 4.5 rebounds per game with Leonard sidelined for most of that series. He scored 33 in a Game 4 road win against the Mavericks.
Harden’s individual career resume and accolades is complete. But he is still searching for that elusive first NBA title as he approaches his 16th season.
