Chris Paul Waived by Warriors, Becomes Unrestricted Free Agent Amid NBA Rumors

The Golden State Warriors waived veteran guard Chris Paul on Sunday, making him an unrestricted free agent..

TNT Sports' Chris Haynes first reported the news.

NBA Insider Marc Stein reported the San Antonio Spurs will have "strong interest" in Paul in free agency.

The news comes as little surprise after Paul had been included in trade rumors throughout the 2023-24 campaign.

Stein also reported on May 23 that the Warriors were evaluating their situation with Paul after failing to offload him at the trade deadline.

Paul's $30 million deal for 2024-25 was supposed to be fully guaranteed if he was still on Golden State's roster on June 28, according to Spotrac.

However, Wojnarowski reported that Paul and the Warriors pushed back the date to guarantee his contract from June 28 to June 30, giving Golden State more time to explore potential trades.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on May 23 that the Warriors were evaluating their situation with Paul after failing to offload him at the trade deadline.

The Athletic's Anthony Slater said Jan. 26 during an appearance on the HoopsHype podcast that there was a possibility Paul could be traded during the 2023-24 season due to his expiring contract.

"I think it's a possibility. Part of the reason they traded for him was that optionality," Slater said. "Part of the appeal of his contract also when they made the move where they traded Jordan Poole for him was the fact that it was expiring. They are moving into this world where are they going to extend Klay Thompson in the summer?"

Paul was initially traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Wizards over the summer in the Bradley Beal deal before he was flipped to Golden State in the deal that sent Jordan Poole to Washington.

The Warriors were hoping the acquisition of Paul would help them contend for another title, but they weren't close to being a championship contender this year.

Golden State finished the season 10th in the Western Conference with a 46-36 record before being eliminated from playoff contention by the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament.

While Paul became a key figure in Steve Kerr's rotation, his performance contributed to Golden State's struggles. He averaged just 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 58 games, primarily off the bench, while shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from deep.

The Warriors enter 2024-25 with questions about how the team can contend for a title again in the Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green era.