The Phoenix Suns are back to being point guard-less, with either Jalen Green or Devin Booker likely to play table-setter next season. However, they probably could’ve had at least one bonafide floor general, even as recently as last week. 12-time All-Star, Chris Paul, is now back with the Los Angeles Clippers and preparing for a retirement tour. However, prior to him putting his name on the dotted line, he was also considering a return to the Suns.
In fact, “Suns star Devin Booker was a fan of the idea, too, given how well he and Paul played together during the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals in 2021 and with Phoenix seemingly in need of a proven playmaker after Tyus Jones’ free agent departure to Orlando,” per The Stein Line’s Marc Stein.
Suns Reason For Passing On Chris Paul Revealed
Despite Booker’s vote of confidence, the Suns remained concerned about how Paul’s leadership style would mesh with first-year head coach Jordan Ott, according to Stein. If so, this is a strange line of thinking. Several organizations would prefer having a seasoned and savvy veteran leader to help ease a rookie head coach’s transition to the front of the bench.
Paul is certainly headstrong. As one of the smartest and most successful players in NBA history, who can blame him?
Yet, if he wasn’t coachable, it’s hard to believe that legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich would’ve wanted him. Keep in mind that Paul wasn’t just signed because he could throw lobs to Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs also believed that Paul could be a mentor to the 2023 No. 1 pick.
San Antonio Spurs Head Coach: Mitch Johnson.
On his first season as the coach for the Spurs and coaching Hall of Famer and former Clipper players Chris Paul @CP3 .
“Pull up a seat, pull up a chair, pull up Peace.” pic.twitter.com/Q05jObGsOx
— The Pull Up! Basketball Podcast (@ThePullUpShows) April 9, 2025
Spurs References
Notably, Paul was also highly valued by Mitch Johnson.
Johnson, who took over for Popovich following the latter’s stroke, was a first-time head coach himself. “His personality and the way he approaches the game is well-known; he’s relentless, he is unapologetic, he is a lot,” he says of Paul (h/t The Pull Up! Basketball Podcast). “And I say that all that the time and I mean that in the very best way… because I think our team needed it more than any other team in the league and I know I needed it more than any other coach.”
A couple of months earlier, Johnson described Paul as “as inclusive and humble as someone (could be) with some of those accolades,” per KENS 5 reporter Jeff Garcia. Meanwhile, Paul’s former Spurs teammate Julian Champagnie would say the 40-year-old is “like a coach and a friend all in one.”
“He’s like a know it all kind of guy, like you go to him for anything,” the 24-year-old says.
The Last Word On CP3-Less Suns
It’s improbable that every coach or player will have such a glowing appraisal of Paul. However, the vote of confidence from Booker should’ve been a sign that he deserved more consideration. Not to be forgotten is how high Paul was held in regard by former Suns head coach Monty Williams.
Ultimately, if there was any concern about Paul, it should’ve been how his methodical pace would mesh with Ott’s run-and-gun philosophy. Yet, even those may have been overblown. In a 48-minute game, many of which will be against staunch defenses, the Suns have to give opponents different looks. On top of that, there are times when their own team will look out of sorts, and slowing the game down could benefit them.
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