'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After a poor 2019-20 NBA season in which a young Phoenix Suns team failed to make the Playoffs, the 36-year old Chris Paul was brought in to convert the team into potential championship contenders, a move that paid off in fabulous fashion.
After a 51-21 regular season that proved enough for the 2nd seed in the Western Conference, the Suns made all the way to the championship finals, where they were defeated in six games by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Chris Paul has a player option for the upcoming season that will guarantee him more than $44 million in salary. The Phoenix Suns will want to keep Paul for another year, which will inadvertently leave them incapable of making large-spread roster changes. In this article, we look at three bold predictions for the Phoenix Suns’ 2021 NBA offseason:
NBA Rumors: Three predictions for the Phoenix Suns’ 2021 NBA offseason
Apart from Chris Paul’s future, the Phoenix Suns have multiple other players who will be free agents in the offseason. Letting most of them go might be the only way in which they can potentially bring in reinforcements, especially if Chris Paul decides to stay. Considering his impact, and the fact that the Suns will be championship contenders again next season might as yet result in Paul deciding to stay, despite a plethora of potential landing spots.
#1 Chris Paul to take up the player option
The 36-year old Chris Paul has a great relationship with head coach Monty Williams. There are not a lot of 36-year olds who have the option of earning as much as $44 million while playing for a championship contending team. Paul came fifth in the MVP race and has a great relationship with the likes of DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker.
The Phoenix Suns will want to keep him considering there are not a lot of potential options that they can bring in as replacements. Finally, the fact that the Suns came very close to winning what would have been Paul’s first NBA championship should be enough to convince him to stay for a further year. His overall output this season suggests that he might as well be able to snag another big contract next year, if it comes to that.
#2 As many as five free agents to leave?
If Chris Paul stays, the only way the Phoenix Suns will be able to bring in reinforcements will be by letting go of multiple contracts. Abdul Nader, Cameron Payne, Torrey Craig, Langston Galloway, Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo and E’Twaun Moore are all going to be free agents who are together owed more than $11 million next season.
Apart from Cameron Payne and Abdul Nader, the rest of the players have failed to hold down a spot in the Suns’ rotations. Along with the 29th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns can also decide to potentially use these assets in order to acquire a better position with respect to the upcoming NBA draft.
#3 DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges to sign extensions
Both DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges are eligible for contract extensions, and the Phoenix Suns will potentially want to safeguard their futures by signing both in the 2021 offseason. Ayton had a highly impressive season, especially during the Playoffs, and has enough potential to emerge as one of the elite NBA centers as soon as next season.
Mikal Bridges, on the other hand, shot at over 42% from the 3-point zone and is one of the best one-on-one defenders on the roster. He is expected to sign a contract worth around $15-20 million, while Ayton is eligible for a max $168 million, five-year deal. THe Phoenix Suns will want to re-sign both in the offseason.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
