Chicago Bulls: 4 early star free agent targets to watch
Early stars to watch for the Chicago Bulls in free agency: Chris Paul
A common theme among the four names on this list is that each would likely be favored to wind up landing with their same team this offseason compared to signing elsewhere. That does look to be the case for the Suns and the veteran star point guard Chris Paul. CP3 turned down his player option this offseason, which would’ve paid him around $44 million next season.
According to a report from Sam Amick of The Athletic on Aug. 2, most NBA executives do believe that CP3 will eventually land back with the Suns. But of all the potential contract negotiations that could occur this week with big names in this cycle of free agency with their original teams, it does feel like CP3 negotiating with the Suns could fall off the rails the fastest.
What CP3 is about to ask for is something that we’ve never really seen before. Even if he does drop his average annual value to around $35 million on his next contract, asking for a three-year deal could be risky. That would take Paul well into his late 30s, and that is a move that the Suns would be cautious about this summer.
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Nonetheless, if the contract talks didn’t go as planned for the Suns and CP3 this week, then the Bulls should be one of the first teams calling to try and sign him. The idea of CP3 landing with the Bulls heading into next season is not a new one among the fans in Chicago. And however unlikely it is at this point, the contract talks between CP3 and the Suns is worth watching to see where it goes in connection with the Bulls.