Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns had an incredible first year together.
The Suns had not made the postseason for a decade.
Paul came and transformed them into a possible eighth seed to the Western Conference champions.
The Suns were two games away from winning their first title in franchise history.
That also would have cemented Paul’s legacy by giving him the one thing that has eluded him for so long, a NBA title.
Paul had a tough choice this offseason.
Would he return to the team that he helped become a contender in just one season?
Or would he leave to go and try to win a title somewhere else?
Paul has already made his decision and it is one that the Suns organization, and its fans, love.
He is staying.
Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Chris Paul has agreed to stay on a new four-year deal that could be worth as much as $120 million, his agents Steve Heumann and Ty Sullivan of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Paul is most likely going to finish his career in a Suns jersey.
This made the most sense for both parties and here is why.
Run It Back
This postseason was the farthest that Paul has gone in his whole career.
He has had his chances with the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, but he was never able to get the job done.
However, the Suns and Paul were a perfect fit for each other.
Once they acquired him, we assumed they would be a playoff team finally.
Nobody could envision a potential title team.
That is what they were with Paul.
The best option is to run it back and add some pieces around the core.
Luckily, Paul agrees with that mindset.
Run it back ☀️ pic.twitter.com/wOjynkMBXV
— Chris Paul (@CP3) August 3, 2021
Running it back might not seem like the best move, as he could have linked up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, Paul felt as though this was the best move for the rest of his career.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are both still young stars that can help Paul, and vice versa.
The Suns should be at the top of the league next season, which is a good reason why Paul is staying.
What Were the Other Options?
Paul was a free agent, but not for long.
As soon as free agency started, Paul was inking his deal with the Suns.
However, some think that his best shot is not with the Suns.
The question for that stance is where else would he go?
There were no other options for the future Hall of Fame point guard.
Sure, the Lakers could have been an option, but the money would not have been there.
The New York Knicks were rumored to be in on him, but Paul wants a championship.
They are not ready to contend for a title with Paul on that roster.
Other than those two teams, there were no other rumors about where he could go.
Cap space held teams hostage if they wanted to talk to Paul and work out a deal.
That left the Suns as the only real choice for Paul.
He wanted one last big contract, plus the ability to contend.
That is why he is staying, for what it seems like, the rest of his career.
NEXT: 3 Moves Phoenix Suns Must Make To Compete In 2022