Savvy Chris Paul silent on trade talks
Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star point guard Chris Paul didn't give any facial expressions to suggest one thing or another when asked the question. He's savvy like that.
Plus he saw Jimmy Fallon's inquiry about possibly being traded to Phoenix coming a mile away on Thursday's ' The Tonight Show' -- and answered it like the seasoned NBA veteran he is.
“Man, I’m going into year 16, right? So I’ve heard about every rumor that you could possibly hear,” Paul said. “So you learn to control what you can control. I’m training, getting ready for the season. If something happens, it will. If not, you know, I love being in Oklahoma with our team. We actually just got a new coach yesterday. So, you know, the league is always constantly changing.”
ESPN reported this week the Thunder gave Paul, who is coming off an AllStar season at age 35 in leading Oklahoma City to the playoffs, permission to talk with the Suns.
He'd be an upgrade at the one position for Phoenix over current starting point guard Ricky Rubio, but Paul is due $41.3 million this upcoming season that begins Dec. 22 and $44.2 million with a player option next season, according to spotrac.com.
Paul smiled and laughed throughout his entire answer. He then made Fallon blush when the two were talking about the idea of Paul playing for the New York Knicks.
"Jimmy I don't know," said a smiling Paul as the show put up a picture of Paul in a blue Knicks No. 3 jersey. "You prob
ably know more than I do."
The idea of Paul joining Phoenix is one Suns fans are taking seriously on both sides.
Some want him here because he's one of the best to ever play point guard while others don't think he's worth the salary in large part based on his age.
Paul addressed the trade talk in an AP article as well.
“Man, I’m 35 years old and I still get a chance to play basketball every day and say that’s my way of life,” Paul said. “That is crazy in itself so regardless what happens, I’ll be ready.”
It's easy to read into his comments. Making something of them is another matter.
They're embracing change, but showing grace and humility for being able to play the game at this stage in his career.
That's walking the line without any stumbles or slipups.
Whether his career continues in Oklahoma City for its new coach, Thunder assistant Mark Daigneault, who is about development, or in Phoenix for Monty Williams, who coached him in New Orleans, or somewhere else for a different coach, Paul sounds as if he's just rolling with the punches.
However, someone who has been playing the game for nearly two decades and president of the National Basketball Players Association isn't just doing something off the cuff or for the hell of it. He's a point guard. Strategic. Smart. There is a seriousness behind that smile.
A plan is in place. Where it leads him to is the question.
Phoenix may wind up being the answer.