Wizards ‘Likely’ To Reroute Chris Paul In Bradley Beal Trade

The Washington Wizards will send Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in a trade after reaching an agreement, but it may take a few days to send Chris Paul to a third team, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Part of the reason for holding up full completion on the Wizards-Suns trade will be to allow Washington to field offers from third teams that would give Chris Paul a chance to land with a contender, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski reported.

The trade package the Suns have agreed to send to the Wizards for Beal includes Paul, Landry Shamet, several second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.

Paul has a partially guaranteed $30.8 million salary for the 2023-24 season. He is guaranteed to earn $15.8 million, with his salary becoming fully guaranteed on June 28. He has a fully non-guaranteed $30.0 million salary for 2024-25.

As Turner Sports’ Chris Haynes reported, the Los Angeles Clippers are a team interested in pursuing a trade to acquire Paul. Other groups could emerge as potential suitors, but regardless, some Wizards officials reportedly would like to have Paul on the team, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

“The Washington Wizards are likely to reroute Chris Paul in a trade, and the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to pursue a reunion with the future Hall of Famer, league sources tell Turner Sports,” Haynes reported.

Paul is coming off a season averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists. He has declined on the defensive end and isn’t an aggressive scorer, which made it challenging for him to command such a significant salary for the Suns amid their title hopes.