Chris Paul understood his days were numbered with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns informed him the team intended to waive him or find him a home in a trade. However, how the 12-time All-Star learned of his trading to the Washington Wizards may not have been appropriate for an all-time great such as him.
Paul made a scheduled appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America and detailed he found out about the trade while on the plane to New York City to promote his new book, “Sixty-One.”
“I was surprised too,” Paul said in response to Michael Strahan. “I found out on the plane yesterday flying here for this. In this league, anything can happen. You just figure out what’s next.”
As the GMA panel noted, Paul took the politically correct route in explaining his initial reaction to the trade.
Chris Paul later admitted to the New York Times finding out about the trade on a plane was “tough,” but it’s part of the business. No one owed him anything, “But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that you know, Matt [Ishbia] and consultant Isiah [Thomas], I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction.”
At 38 years of age, Paul is looking to win the all-elusive NBA championship to stamp his Hall-of-Fame career. That’s not happening with the Wizards.
The Wizards are embarking on a total rebuild under its new power team front office led by president Michael Winger.
Paul played three seasons with the Suns, his fifth team. He and Devin Booker led the Suns to the NBA Finals and were just two wins away from a championship. The ending to his relationship with the team is surprising, to say the least.
Washington would love for Paul to finish out his contract to help spearhead the rebuild. But it’s apparent that’s not what is in Paul’s plans.
Phoenix traded Paul as part of the blockbuster trade for Bradley Beal.
It’s hard to gauge if Paul is more frustrated with being moved to the Wizards or how he got informed. Nonetheless, everyone involved seeks to salvage the matter, while Beal slots next to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in the Valley of the Sun.
