The Suns were preparing to part with Chris Paul during the 2023 NBA offseason, and it appears they have done so.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Suns are set to acquire star guard Bradley Beal to form a new "Big 3" alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. While the deal "may take a few days to be finalized," it appears that Phoenix is set to surrender a package centered around Paul to complete the deal.
It isn't clear whether Washington will be Paul's final landing spot, however. Wojnarowski reports that the Suns are allowing the Wizards to field offers from teams looking to acquire Paul. That could make the Beal trade a three-team deal.
Part of the reason for holding up full completion on the Wizards-Suns trade will be to allow Washington to field offers from third teams that would give Chris Paul a chance to land with a contender, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2023
And Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reports that the Clippers are expected to have an interest in the veteran point guard.
The Washington Wizards are likely to reroute Chris Paul in a trade and the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to pursue a reunion with the future Hall of Famer, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023
Either way, Paul is going to be traded. Again.
Paul, 38, is arguably the best point guard of his generation. But in the latter stages of his career, he has been traded from team to team as each of his clubs sought a star or an answer at point guard.
MORE: Full details of the Bradley Beal trade involving Chris Paul
Just how many times has Chris Paul been traded in his NBA career? Here's what to know about his trade history and the teams for which he has played.
How many teams has Chris Paul played for?
Paul's next team — whether it's the Wizards or another squad — will be his sixth. It will also mark his fifth team since 2017 as he has averaged a trade every season.
| Team | Years |
| New Orleans Hornets | 2005-11 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2011-17 |
| Houston Rockets | 2017-19 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2019-20 |
| Phoenix Suns | 2020-23 |
Interestingly, Paul has played exclusively in the Western Conference during his career. That would change if he is, in fact, dealt to the Wizards — or if another Eastern Conference contender expresses an interest in him.
But if he is rerouted to the Clippers, he would then prepare to play in the Western Conference for a 19th season.
How many times has Chris Paul been traded?
Paul's impending trade from the Suns will mark the fifth of his career. Every time he has changed teams in his career, it has been via trade.
Paul was first traded in 2011, so he has averaged a trade every 2.4 years since he was first dealt away from the New Orleans Hornets. Since 2017, that average has dropped to 1.5 years per trade.
TRADE GRADES: Did Suns or Wizards win the Bradley Beal deal?
Chris Paul trade history
A a look at each of the five times that Paul has been traded during his NBA career:
Chris Paul to Clippers trade details
Clippers get:
- PG Chris Paul
- Two second-round picks
Hornets get:
- SG Eric Gordon
- C Chris Kaman
- F Al-Farouq Aminu
- 2012 first-round pick (Austin Rivers)
On Dec. 12, 2011, the then-Hornets agreed to trade Paul to the Clippers. The deal came just four days after a proposed trade to the Lakers fell through.
Paul gave the Clippers a star to pair with Blake Griffin, and his presence in Los Angeles helped usher in the franchise's "Lob City" era. During his time with the Clippers, he averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game and made five All-Star teams.
The Hornets — now the Pelicans — acquired several role players as a part of the deal but were unable to acquire a high-impact playmaker to replace Paul.
Chris Paul to Rockets trade details
Rockets receive:
- PG Chris Paul
Clippers receive:
- PG Patrick Beverley
- F Sam Dekker
- C Montrezl Harrell
- F Darrun Hilliard
- G DeAndre Liggins
- G Lou Williams
- G/F Kyle Wiltjer
- Future first-round pick
- Cash considerations
Los Angeles traded Paul to Houston for the same reason New Orleans sent the guard to LA. The Clippers were afraid that they may lose Paul in free agency, so they sent him to the Rockets, where he could team up with James Harden and create a top-tier guard tandem.
This move was an easy one for the Rockets to make. They surrendered Beverley — a gritty, defensive stopper — and scoring maven Williams, but Paul was enough of an upgrade to justify the trade.
Paul didn't lead the Rockets to the NBA Finals, but he helped get them close. He averaged 17.1 points, 8.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in two seasons with the Rockets before he was dealt once again.
The Clippers didn't regret the Paul trade too much. Beverley and Williams gave them backcourt depth and kept them in the postseason hunt while Harrell developed into an effective center. But like the Rockets, this move did not get them over the hump.
Chris Paul to Thunder trade details
Thunder receive:
- PG Chris Paul
- Two first-round picks
- Two pick swap options
Rockets receive:
- PG Russell Westbrook
When the Thunder decided to embrace a full-fledged rebuild in 2019, they decided to trade Westbrook. The Rockets ended up being an ideal trade partner, as they were looking to upgrade from Paul after he showed signs of regression during the 2018-19 campaign.
The swap ended up working in the Thunder's favor. They received a great deal of draft capital, which has helped to shape their current team's construction, while Paul emerged as a leader for the team. He lifted the Thunder to a playoff appearance in the Orlando bubble as part of the 2020 COVID pandemic. He averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game with Oklahoma City.
As for the Rockets, they had buyer's remorse on Westbrook. He was a clunky fit alongside the ball-dominant Harden and was traded for John Wall just one season after landing with the Rockets.
Chris Paul to Suns trade details
Suns receive:
- PG Chris Paul
- F Abdel Nader
Thunder receive:
- G/F Kelly Oubre Jr.
- PG Ricky Rubio
- G Ty Jerome
- G Jalen Lecque
- 2022 first-round pick (protected)
Paul lasted just one season in Oklahoma City, but that was because he wanted to play for a true contender. The Thunder respected those wishes and dealt him to the Suns, who were coming off a great stint in the bubble that showcased their future.
Paul enjoyed a strong three-year stint with the Suns and helped them get to the 2021 NBA Finals. They weren't able to win, but Paul still averaged a rock-solid 15.1 points, 9.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in his time with the team. He also made two All-Star appearances during his tenure as well.
Meanwhile, the Thunder were able to continue to add young players, trade assets and draft picks to accelerate their rebuild.
Chris Paul to the Wizards trade details
Suns receive:
- SG Bradley Beal
Wizards receive:
- PG Chris Paul
- SG Landry Shamet
- Multiple second-round picks
- Multiple pick swaps
As mentioned, Paul may not land with the Wizards when this deal is completed, but this trade is akin to the Rockets' acquisition of Westbrook.
The Suns are getting younger at guard and are pairing Beal — a top-tier 3-point shooter — with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The trio combined to average 80.1 points per game last year, so Phoenix should boast an explosive offense during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are looking to rebuild. Paul doesn't fit that timeline, but his contract is similar to Beal's. That helped to facilitate the trade, which will add to their draft cupboard, but it's easy to understand why Paul and the Wizards may seek a third team to join this trade given that Paul would prefer to play for a contender.
Revisiting the voided Chris Paul to the Lakers trade
Paul's career could have played out differently if not for a decision made by then-NBA commissioner David Stern. He vetoed a trade between the Hornets and Lakers on Dec. 8, 2011, that would have paired Paul with Kobe Bryant.
The reason for Stern's decision? At the time, the NBA owned the Hornets and Stern determined that New Orleans would be better off keeping Paul rather than trading him.
After facing strong backlash, Stern relented and allowed Paul to be traded to the league's other Los Angeles team, the Clippers, four days later.
In the end, the Hornets may have been hurt the worst by the trade. The package they were to received from the Lakers would have been better than what they got from the Clippers.
The full details of each deal:
Hornets receive:
- F Lamar Odom (from Lakers)
- SG Kevin Martin (from Rockets)
- PF Luis Scola (from Rockets)
- PG Goran Dragic (from Rockets)
Lakers receive:
- PG Chris Paul (from Hornets)
Rockets receive:
- PF Pau Gasol (from Lakers)
That disallowed deal will always remain a "what if" in assessing Paul's legacy.