As the Golden State Warriors’ 2023-24 season came to an end with a blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings, Chris Paul, the future Hall of Famer acquired from the Phoenix Suns last offseason, finds himself at a crossroads, with his immediate playing future shrouded in uncertainty.
However, he has made one thing abundantly clear: retirement is not on his mind.
“I’ll talk to my wife and my kids, my family, my support system, see what it looks like,” Paul told The Athletic. “But this isn’t (the end of my career). I know it for sure.”
At 38 years old and heading into his 20th NBA season, Paul’s determination to continue playing is admirable, but his path forward is far from straightforward. While he remains under contract with the Warriors for the 2024-25 campaign, the entirety of his $30 million salary is non-guaranteed, affording the team financial flexibility as they navigate a potential luxury tax crunch.
The Warriors’ ownership group has expressed a desire to avoid the punitive “second apron” tax and potentially reset the repeater clock entirely, objectives that could necessitate significant salary shedding. Chris Paul’s sizable contract, coupled with the team’s apparent depth limitations when he shares the court with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, might make him an expendable asset in the Warriors’ cost-cutting efforts.
“When you look at the combinations that we have out there, it usually kind of separates Steph and Chris and Klay. So there’s not as many minutes as Chris would like,” admitted head coach Steve Kerr, acknowledging the challenges of integrating Paul into the Warriors’ existing core.
Despite these obstacles, Paul’s professionalism and leadership have earned him high praise from his teammates and coaches. Draymond Green, who once engaged in heated on-court battles with Paul, spoke glowingly of the bond they formed this season.
“Built a relationship that’ll go beyond whether he’s here next year or not and whether I’m here next year or not.”
For his part, Chris Paul embraced the opportunity to join a championship-caliber organization, even if it meant accepting a reduced role as Curry’s backup. “I’ve loved every bit about (this season). I’ve loved every bit of it. Getting a chance to compete with these guys,” he reflected.
