Chris Paul found out about the business of the suns through his son
Chris Paul was on a plane to New York on Sunday to promote his new book when he heard the news in a text message from his 14-year-old son, Chris Jr.: He had been traded.
A 12-time All-Star, Paul is one of the most accomplished point guards in NBA history. He had recently completed his third season with the Phoenix Suns, a run that included a trip to the NBA Finals in 2021. Greener pastures seemed ahead after the Suns acquired Kevin Durant in February.
But the Suns tentatively agreed on Sunday to a trade with the Washington Wizards for guard Bradley Beal, a three-time All-Star who turns 30 next week. Paul, 38, was involved in the deal. At the moment it is unclear where Paul will play next season.
In an interview with The New York Times, Paul said repeatedly that Mat Ishbia, who recently took over the team, and Isiah Thomas, the Hall of Fame point guard who is close to Ishbia, “wanted to go in a different direction.” In February, Ishbia told reporters that Thomas had no role in the team. Representatives for the Suns and Thomas did not respond to a request for comment.
Paul spoke to The Times as part of a promotional tour for his book “Sixty-One: Life Lessons From Papa, On and Off the Court.” The book, due out on Tuesday, pays tribute to his grandfather Nathaniel Jones. Jones was killed in 2002, a day after Paul signed a letter of intent to attend Wake Forest University.
Paul describes Jones as a pioneering figure in his life and one of his closest confidants. Jones operated what is believed to be the first black gas station in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina.
Paul co-wrote the book with ESPN host Michael Wilbon during the height of the pandemic, weaving together stories about his grandfather and his own journey — including his experiences as a black athlete in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The interview, which has been edited for length and clarity, took place Monday at the New York offices of public relations firm Rubenstein. In it, Paul discussed Phoenix trading, his grandfather, and what his plans are after his NBA career is over.
You were on the plane last night. The team that helped you get to a championship within two games said it was planning to trade you, and what’s your feeling?
It’s just – it’s hard. Seriously, it’s part of the business and what you realize is no one owes you anything. No matter how you treat them or whatever you do, you realize that in this industry no one owes you anything, as they should.
But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that, you know, Mat and Isiah, I think, just wanted to go in a different direction.
So you found out because your son texted you on the plane? It wasn’t your agent texting you, or Mat Ishbia. What goes through your head when you get the text?
I showed my phone to my wife. Because, I mean, I talked to James Jones yesterday or something. [Jones is the Suns’ president of basketball operations and general manager.]
And did James Jones give any indication that this was on the table? How surprised were you by that text message from your son?
[Paul paused.]
I was suprised.
I can see from your face that you are now trying not to talk too much nonsense.
No, because, I mean, like I said, it is what it is. But like I said, Mat and Isiah must have wanted otherwise.
What happens in your ideal scenario?
Don’t know. I really haven’t had enough time to process it yet. Seriously, because these things that are happening affect more than just me.
You said in another interview recently that you wanted to stay in Phoenix. What are your feelings towards the organization at the moment?
Like I said, Mat and Isiah, they want to go in a different direction. But my time there was great. You know what I mean? It’s been great. And so back to work.
You could have written a book about anything. You chose to write about your grandfather. Why was that?
That was a huge point in my life. And now that I’m 38 years old, I never thought I’d get the chance to do the things I’ve done. I thought and realized how much things are the way they are because of my relationship with my grandfather.
How do you feel differently about his death at age 38 now than you did when you were a teenager?
While writing this book, there were conversations I hadn’t thought about or spoken about in twenty years.
How painful was it for you and your family to revisit the murder?
I actually got a few videos on my phone from some of the recordings. [Paul was referring to recording the audiobook.] And when I did, there were a few times when I broke down and I couldn’t get through.
What is a time in the last 20 years of your life when you wished you had your grandfather’s guidance?
Maybe when I was in college, the Julius Hodge situation. I have suspended for a game. [In 2005, Paul appeared to deliberately throw a punch below the waist of North Carolina State’s Julius Hodge during the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.]
What do you think he would have said?
Don’t know. I don’t think he would necessarily have been crazy. Well, it’s crazy, because that whole situation happened because it was kids singing, “I killed your grandfather.” If he had been here, they couldn’t have said that.
One of the interesting stories I read in the book was that after George Floyd’s death, you talk about getting pulled over in Los Angeles. Can you describe the discomfort you felt?
I was on the 405, it was during construction, so it was crazy. When I stopped, I pulled to the left. I think I had to pull over to the right, but I think it was the nervousness and fear. And so I pulled it over. I don’t care what anyone says – especially at the height of everything going on at the time, I was just a little nervous.
You’re a rich, famous, successful athlete, and you’re being pulled over by the police, and you’re worried. What does that say about our country right now?
It tells you a lot.
When I’m playing in a game and I’m in an arena, all those fans in there are screaming. Once I leave the game, I don’t leave the game in my uniform. I could leave the game in a hoodie with a hat on. So I am regular. I’m just like everyone else. That’s also something else. All people don’t know who athletes are and all those things. I don’t think for a minute that I should get some sort of pass because I’m an athlete.
How much have you thought about how many years you have left in the NBA?
I ask a lot of questions of friends, people who are retired, people who work in other companies who work. And one of the greatest things I heard years ago is that once you start thinking about when it’s over, it’s over.
And you don’t feel that.
Not at all.
What does Chris Paul’s post-playing career look like?
I would like to be governor one day.
A team owner.
Precisely. Because I just know every nuance of the league from all those years as president of the union. And I have relationships where I’ve been able to learn from these guys.