Chris Paul Waived by Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have made a significant roster move, waiving veteran guard Chris Paul after careful consideration of multiple trade scenarios. This decision was closely tied to an intriguing yet ultimately declined trade proposal from the Chicago Bulls.
According to various sources, including Chris Haynes, the Bulls had proposed a trade package that featured Chris Paul in exchange for either Zach LaVine or Andrew Wiggins. "I was told that the Chicago Bulls were trying to get something going with the Golden State Warriors, trying to get a Zach LaVine package together," Haynes reported. He elaborated further, "What I was told: It could have been Zach LaVine for Chris Paul or Andrew Wiggins."
Despite these trade talks, the Warriors ultimately decided against acquiring LaVine. The 28-year-old guard is a former All-Star, but his performance has dipped since his consecutive All-Star Game appearances in 2021 and 2022. Adding to the concerns, LaVine recently underwent foot surgery, and his future earnings are slated to reach nearly $50 million in the 2026-27 season. This financial commitment likely played a role in Golden State’s reluctance to gamble on LaVine, especially given their current financial strategy.
On the other hand, Andrew Wiggins, who remains under contract with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season, is set to earn about $30 million in the final year of his deal. Wiggins' consistent performance and more manageable contract may have influenced Golden State's decision to retain him rather than pursue LaVine.
Paul, who had originally agreed to push his guarantee date back from Friday to Sunday, declined to extend it further. This led to the Warriors’ eventual decision to waive him, making Paul an unrestricted free agent. General Manager Mike Dunleavy personally communicated this decision to Paul, underscoring the seriousness and professionalism the Warriors applied in handling this scenario.
Waiving Paul provides the Warriors with increased financial flexibility, bringing them well under the luxury-tax threshold. This newly acquired cap space allows Golden State to entertain other strategic moves, potentially even making a competitive offer to their long-standing sharpshooter, Klay Thompson.
Both major players in this trade talk, Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins, continue with their respective teams. LaVine remains with the Bulls, while Wiggins stays with the Warriors, solidifying his spot on the roster for the foreseeable future.
The Warriors’ decision to part ways with Paul, juxtaposed with their hesitance to acquire LaVine, speaks to their current focus on maintaining a balanced roster and managing long-term financial commitments. While the shift of Chris Paul to free agency marks a significant departure for a player of his caliber, it opens up new possibilities for Golden State as they look to construct a team capable of competing at the highest levels in the upcoming seasons.