Chris Paul’s Best Chance at Title on His $120M Late-Career Contract

Phoenix may have surprised the basketball world by signing 36-year-old Chris Paul to a four-year, $120 million extension last August, but it’s hard to argue that the deal hasn’t been satisfying for both parties.

After leading the league in assists for the No. 1 overall seed, Paul has the best chance of his career to win his elusive title.

On Sunday, Paul started his latest postseason by becoming the oldest player in NBA playoff history to drop 30 points and 10 assists in the Suns’ 110-99 Game 1 win over the Pelicans.

• Paul’s contract is tied for 34th in the league by total value.
• By AAV ($30M), it’s tied for 33rd.
• The deal pushed his career earnings to $330.7M — second among active players behind LeBron James ($387.4M) and third all-time behind James and Kevin Garnett ($334.4M).
• Paul, 7th all-time in NBA postseason assists, scored or assisted on 19 straight points in the fourth quarter.

Paul will turn 37 in May, so to get big money for so many years at his age isn’t exactly standard practice.

James signed his two-year, $85.7 million deal with the Lakers at 36 — meaning it will only keep him tied to L.A. through his age-38 season. Paul is tied to Phoenix until he hits 40.

Age will only be a number if Paul can bring the championship to Arizona; his Suns are currently the favorites (+200) to do so.