Suns Possibly Making Run at James Harden is ‘In the Wind’

The Suns are waiving point guard Chris Paul, and while the current spin is they might bring him back, the odds seem against it.

Instead, the Suns are seeking an upgrade at the spot, perhaps more scoring and better defense. One league source told Hoops Wire the only way the Suns bring back Paul is if they can’t find anyone better.

One option, as hinted at by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN: 76ers guard James Harden. It seems like a long shot, given the talk that Harden is currently “torn” between the Sixers and Rockets, via Shams Charania of The Athletic.

But Harden is expected to opt out of his contract and there could be something to Phoenix sneaking in — reuniting Harden with former Nets teammate Kevin Durant. Then again, that worked out so well in Brooklyn that the Nets traded Harden for Ben Simmons.

Anyway, Shelburne said on the Steve Mason and John Ireland show on ESPN LA that the idea of the Suns going after Harden has been “in the wind” over the past month. 

As for waiving Paul, the Suns could indeed always bring him back. His contract of $30.8 million is fully guaranteed if he’s not waived before June 28. The Suns don’t want to pay him that.

So waiving him, then re-signing him, is a distinct possibility. He did finish third in the NBA assists (8.9 apg). There are just concerns about him holding up for a full season.