Chris Paul is fresh off a tremendous season with the Phoenix Suns.
In addition to playing well from an individual standpoint, the All-Star guard also led his ballclub to its first NBA Finals appearance since 1993.
Paul has one year left on his contract, but he wants a new deal that will pay him in the $100 million over three years range.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been closely linked to a Paul deal. Similarly, the Suns were viewed as the favorites to retain the veteran.
That said, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the New Orleans Pelicans are also making a serious push to steal Paul from both the Suns and the Lakers.
“The New Orleans Pelicans did have their sights set on prying Paul away from Phoenix,” he wrote. “And there was a period this past week in which league personnel widely discussed the possibility of Paul playing elsewhere.”
And this isn’t the first time New Orleans has made a strong push to acquire Paul.
“The Pelicans even attempted to acquire Paul in a trade prior to last season,” Fischer continued. “Head coach Willie Green was just hired away from the Suns, and Green is known to hold a close relationship with Paul. The All-Star actually lobbied Houston management to bring Green on board as an assistant during Paul’s tenure with the Rockets.”
The Pelicans have a serious Zion Williamson problem on their hands. Paul could probably alleviate it to some degree, though it’s debatable how much. Given what he’s done for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Suns in back-to-back seasons, it’s easy to see why New Orleans views the 36-year-old as a potential savior, though.
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