The wildness of the NBA offseason can’t even wait for the Finals to conclude. Multiple reports surfaced on Wednesday, indicating Chris Paul’s time in Phoenix may be at an end. The Suns may still try to trade Paul, and apparently, he doesn’t even want to leave — so some things still need to be hashed out.
Regardless, the speculation has begun, with reports also indicating the guard would want to join a contender if he hits the open market.
The Celtics have more than their fair share of guards, but it’s only natural to wonder if Boston could be a fit. Like anything else, it depends.
Money is the first matter that pops up, but let’s just focus on the personnel fit. Although Paul has never won a title, he, like several other members of the Celtics, has gone to the NBA Finals and lost. Furthermore, he’s not only a veteran, but he was also the President of the National Basketball Players Association for eight years before deciding to not run in the latest election.
With the Celtics looking to add experience to Joe Mazzulla’s staff, this is another way to do so. Paul provides an experienced player with a respected voice that could help elevate Boston’s young talent. That’s all without discussing his play.
Listen live to WEEI
Paul isn’t what he used to be, but adding a pass-first ball-handler wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Celtics. Because when you look at Boston’s three ball-handling guards — Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White — only White has a tendency to be pass-first. Smart has the potential to be the best facilitator of the bunch, but everyone in Boston knows by now that we don’t see that side often. Also, it might be in Paul’s own interest to be in a setting where he isn’t viewed as a scorer at all.
The problem — again, money aside — would be Paul’s minutes. Between that trio and Jaylen Brown, there aren’t many spare minutes left for guards. He’s never logged fewer than 31 minutes per game in a season, and there’s no way that’d happen in Boston with those four guards still around. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, there’s a good chance Paul would have to come off the bench. He’s never done that in his NBA career, so that could be a huge issue — despite his advanced age for an NBA player.
Paul could be a fit in Boston, but it’d take some serious concessions on his end. Not that he won’t have to make some wherever he goes, but there are other contenders (be they legitimate or fringe) who could add Paul while still giving him a more significant role than Boston would.