Golden State Warriors: CP3 ‘holding out hope’ of starting spot next season

Chris Paul ruffled some feathers on Tuesday when he appeared to take offense to a question about his new role as a member of the Golden State Warriors.

When asked if he and head coach Steve Kerr had any preliminary discussions about the possibility of coming off the bench, CP3 seemed to get a little testy.

“You coaching?” Paul quipped.

"“I don’t know what the situation gonna be yet… It would be a conversation for us when camp starts. Yes, Steve and I have talked and whatnot, and that ain’t something that you’d be like, ‘you’re starting or coming off the bench,’ and we’ll figure all that stuff out.”"

Reading between the lines, it’s clear Paul would be reluctant to accept a bench role, and the Golden State Warriors will have to decide what to do with their newly acquired ‘point god.’

A seasoned NBA veteran, Chris Paul has seen it all during his 18 seasons in the league. As a point guard and inherent leader, he’s had to not only adapt, but master each new system and style, and CP3 has flourished at each stop. Golden State will be Paul’s sixth destination, and this time around will be no different.

Nevertheless, Chris Paul has never come off the bench as an NBA player, and as someone who’s paid their dues and earned their stripes, it’s understandable that CP3 would feel a certain way about being asked to do so now.

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, the 38-year-old point guard is ‘holding out hope’ that he can retain a starting job with his new team.

"“…When he pushed back against the idea that he would come off the bench for the Warriors this season during his introductory news conference in Vegas on Sunday, it’s safe to assume that he knew precisely what he was doing. Regardless of what comes next, it’s quite clear that Paul is holding out some hope that there’s a way for him to start (and no, people, not in replacement of Steph Curry and/or Klay Thompson, but with them in a small lineup).”"

Of course, it’s inconceivable that Paul would start instead of Curry or Thompson, but sliding Draymond Green to the center spot clears the way for Paul to start in a small-ball lineup with three guards.

On the other hand, bringing Paul off the bench may be a more optimal way of maximizing his playmaking wizardry in a half-court setting. Paul is not and has never been a player who likes to run in transition. CP3 prefers a methodical style, in which he can systematically break down the defense and set up his teammates for high-percentage looks.

With the second unit, Paul would likely enjoy more freedom to run his own offense and do things his way, offering a different look to counter Golden State’s typical fast-paced style of play.

It’s early. It’s July. So don’t expect a final call on Paul’s official designation until training camp is underway. Still, the weekend’s events muddied the waters just a little bit.