NBA: Grading the notable moves from the first day of free agency

Chris Paul re-signs with Phoenix for 4 years/$120M

Grade: C+

Oh my goodness. Chris Paul truly bet on himself this offseason, declining a $44 million player option at 36 years old.

For him, it paid off in a huge way. As president of the NBA Players Association, Paul was the one who fought the NBA to allow contracts of this size to be given to players over the age of 36. He helped change that to 38 with the “Over 38 Rule” and has now benefitted from it on his last two contracts. If I were grading CP3, he’d get an A+.

For the Suns, they basically had no choice. Paul was such a valuable asset and the Suns were the only team that could offer him a fourth contract year because they had his Bird Rights. Being the businessman Paul is, he more than likely forced the Suns’ hand and made them.

I love that they weren’t cheap with Chris Paul, but four years was just way too long. Paul will be FORTY years old at the time the contract is over. Adding Paul’s injury history, this contract may be undesirable in two years, right when the Suns need to re-sign DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges.