Coming off an NBA Finals berth, both Chris Paul and Cameron Payne have decided to stay with the Phoenix Suns on new deals. The possibility of the Suns maintaining their point guard tandem was a priority for Suns general manager James Jones when entering the offseason.
Paul, 36, will return on a new four-year deal worth up to $120 million, according to ESPN. He averaged 19.2 points, 8.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game on 49.7% shooting from the field during Phoenix’s playoff run.
On Monday, the 16-year veteran had declined his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Due to age, there’s a possibility of this deal not only being his final NBA contract but his final chance at an NBA championship.
In hopes of returning to the NBA Finals next season, Phoenix’s core of Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton remains intact.
Payne took a team-friendly deal by agreeing to re-sign with Phoenix on a three-year, $19 million contract, according to Yahoo Sports.
Other guards in similar situations as Payne like Alex Caruso (four-year $37 million deal with Bulls) and TJ McConnell (four-year $35.2 million deal with Pacers) saw bigger deals come their way in free agency.
Payne appeared in 60 games for the Suns last season averaging 8.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. He played a key role for the Suns off the bench and elevated his game as Chris Paul battled injury and COVID-19 throughout the playoffs.
“I just got to keep working, right now I’m just here to fill in for (Chris Paul),” Payne said after his 29-point performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the L.A. Clippers. “I’m just doing whatever I can on the court to be (Paul’s) protégé.”
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