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The Golden State Warriors are believed to be at least open to the possibility of trading Chris Paul ahead of next month’s deadline.
Anthony Slater of The Athletic appeared on the HoopsHype podcast and said Paul’s expiring contract was a major reason the Warriors traded for him during the offseason.
“I think it’s a possibility. Part of the reason they traded for him was that optionality,” Slater said of Paul being traded. “Part of the appeal of his contract also when they made the move where they traded Jordan Poole for him was the fact that it was expiring. They are moving into this world where are they going to extend Klay Thompson in the summer?”
Paul has been out of the lineup since suffering a fractured hand on Jan. 5 against the Detroit Pistons. He currently has no timetable for his return and is still wearing a cast as of this week, so it’s unlikely he’ll be cleared ahead of the deadline.
The future Hall of Famer was traded to Golden State over the summer in a deal that sent Jordan Poole to Washington. Paul was also part of a deal sending Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns earlier in the same offseason.
While it’s clear Paul is well past his playing prime, he’s been a vital member of Steve Kerr’s rotation when healthy. He averaged 8.9 points, 7.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game over his first 32 appearances in Golden State.
Any team acquiring Paul would likely be doing so looking to get out from under a long-term contract, and the Warriors’ 19-23 record doesn’t exactly make them buyers at the moment. The overwhelming odds are Paul will remain with Golden State for the remainder of this season.
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