Knicks Rumors: Signing Chris Paul in offseason highly unlikely for NY

Watching what Chris Paul is doing right now in the NBA Finals for the Suns does make me wonder about how good the Knicks could be if we were to add a superstar point guard to the roster.

But I don’t mean CP3 specifically.

This news couldn’t be better for me personally, but I know some out there that were really hoping the Knicks would be able to snag the Paul in the offseason in hopes that he could turn this roster into what the Suns look like now.

Unfortunately, while it was always unlikely to happen considering the success Phoenix has had since adding him to the roster, now, it’ has even less of a probability of happening.

Chris Paul is highly unlikely to join Knicks in the offseason due to CBA bylaws

Due to some bylaws in the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Suns can pretty much ‘one up’ any team trying to steal away Chris Paul, as reported by Marc Berman of the NY Post.

Berman said:

"If the Knicks attempt to outbid the Suns for point guard Chris Paul this August, they are at a distinct disadvantage.According to former Nets executive and ESPN cap guru Bobby Marks, the Suns can offer Paul a four-year deal while the Knicks can’t go past three years because of an obscure “over-38’’ bylaw in the collective bargaining agreement.Marks predicts the Suns will net Paul with a three-year, $100 million contract if the veteran decides to opt-out of the $44 million final season of his current deal.If Leon Rose’s Knicks attempt to match the offer, the Suns can add a fourth year.It was unthinkable Paul would consider opting out of the final season when the 2020-21 campaign began. But after leading the Suns to their first NBA Finals berth since 1993, Paul is reportedly leaning that way."

When the report came out that Chris Paul could opt out of his $44 million player option this summer, I didn’t think anything of it…no way he leaves that much money on the table.

But apparently, he’s looking for one last long-term contract before he hangs’em up.

Frankly, I love CP3 but I don’t want any part of paying a 37-year-old-to-be upwards of $100 million over the next 3-4 seasons anyway.

It would have been difficult to pry him away regardless of whatever rules there are, but seeing how Phoenix has the upper hand any which way you turn.

The Knicks are far better off going after a younger point guard like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that fits their timeline better anyway.