Warriors to trade Chris Paul?

Could point guard Chris Paul be among those moved? It’s hard to know, as Paul was just acquired by the Warriors before the season. He’s had some nice moments, but his best days are clearly behind him.

Per Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Paul could be sent elsewhere.

“I think it’s a possibility. Part of the reason they traded for him was that optionality,” Slater told Michael Scotto on the HoopsHype podcast. “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?”

Frankly, Golden State will have to make at least one trade — and likely of a bigger name — to get anywhere close to back to contention. For a while it was rumored that they may look to trade Thompson and his expiring contract, but as we relayed here, the Warriors may intend to re-sign Thompson. 

So perhaps it is Paul’s deal that they will move.

Sources said they already offered him to the Toronto Raptors as part of a package for forward Pascal Siakam, who was traded to the Indiana Pacers instead.

Paul is making $30.8 million this season and his salary for next year is non-guaranteed. He is averaging 8.9 points, 7.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals, shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 36.1 percent on 3-pointers.

“His contract has value to them as not only an expiring deal, but a deal that this summer that has a $30 million non-guaranteed year,” Slater said. “You could release that or try to sign him to a lower number. You also could put that into a trade this summer.”

The Warriors (19-24) enter Monday night in 12th place in the Western Conference.