Dunleavy calls Warriors’ CP3 situation ‘difficult’ as deadline approaches originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
It’s a busy time for the Warriors’ decision makers.
Monday was the deadline to secure Kevon Looney’s contract, the 2024 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday and Friday, and free agency starts on Sunday, June 30. And that’s not all.
The Warriors also don’t have much time to wait before having to determine whether or not they will exercise point guard Chris Paul’s $30 million team option for the 2024-25 NBA season. That deadline is Friday, June 28.
During his pre-draft press conference on Monday, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy didn’t reveal much insight into the team’s plans for Paul.
“We know what it is. We planned for it,” Dunleavy told reporters. “I think it’s harder to balance the salary with the quality of the player and take that into account, which makes it difficult.”
In addition to picking up or declining Paul’s team option, the Warriors are also interested in trading the veteran point guard before the deadline, according to reports from NBA insider Marc Stein. To help facilitate a trade, Stein mentioned the possibility that the Warriors and Paul could mutually agree to extend the deadline until July.
Dunleavy commented on the organization’s stance regarding the timing of Paul’s contract and its potential flexibility.
“I agree with the date. I guess we’ll see if that changes,” Dunleavy said. “But for now, I’m fine with it. I understand the rules. We will follow them.”
In his first season with the team in 2023-24, Paul was a key piece on the Warriors bench, averaging 9.2 points and 6.8 assists per game in 58 appearances. It’s not often that a team has the ability to bring in a 12-time All-Star to relieve a 10-time All-Star, but the Warriors had that luxury with Paul playing behind Steph Curry.
Still, $30 million is a very expensive price for a backup point guard, especially for a team already dealing with salary cap issues. We’ll have to wait and see how Dunleavy and the Warriors proceed with Paul and the rest of his impending roster decisions.
