ESPN predicts that CP3 will win the award in the Warriors’ first season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Ahead of Chris Paul’s first season in the Warriors outfit, expectations are high.
The 38-year-old point guard arrived in the Gulf this summer as part of the trade That sent young Jordan Paul to the Washington Wizards, and now, Paul finds himself on a star-studded list among his former rivals.
While Paul’s role – whether that be in the starting line-up or as a substitute – has not yet been clarified, it has been suggested that ESPN expert panel expects His veteran presence would earn him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
“Our experts say the Golden State Warriors took the gold with point guard Chris Paul, who joins one of the deepest teams in the league,” ESPN’s annual NBA forecast states. The 12-time All-Star is entering his 19th season, and although Paul never came off the bench, his team Contributions as a reserve It could boost the Warriors’ chances of competing for the title.”
Paul has made it clear since the trade that his goal is to do just that Help the warriors win matcheshopefully leading to the first NBA title of his story-packed career – but so far he’s remained mum about his role with Golden State.
Since Paul was ranked fourth overall in 2005, he has started all 1,363 games in which he has played. With Steve Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and Draymond Green solid in the Warriors’ starting lineup, all indications are that Paul will mostly come off the bench during the 2023-24 NBA season.
His career rookie status and future Hall of Fame member certainly gives him a leg up in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation, as the ESPN panel gave Paul a total of 42 points in their projections (26.9 percent of the first-place vote), or 12 points more than the No. 2 candidate. On the list is Los Angeles Lakers player Austin Reeves.
Following is Paul and Reeves on ESPN’s roster:
3. Russell Westbrook (Los Angeles Clippers): 26 points (11.5 percent of first-place votes)
4. Tyler Hero, Miami Heat: 21 points (11.5 percent)
T-5. Emmanuel Kwikli (New York Knicks): 18 points (3.8 percent)
T-5. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings: 18 points (3.8 percent)
6. Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics: 17 points (7.7 percent)
T-7. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks: 16 points (3.8 percent)
T-7. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz: 16 points (7.7 percent)
T-8. Norman Powell (Clippers): 5 points (3.8 percent)
T-8. Obi Tobin, Indiana Pacers: 5 points (3.8 percent)
9. Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls: 4 points
T-10. Brandon Clark, Memphis Grizzlies: 3 points
T-10. Bruce Brown, Pacers: 3 points
T-10. Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans: 3 points
T-10. Benedict Mathurin, Pacers: 3 points
T-10. Kevin Love, Miami Heat: 3 points
Regardless of Paul’s position in the voting at the end of the season, his debut season with the Warriors will almost certainly be one for the books.
But there’s no doubt – Paul and the rest of his new Golden State teammates would rather end up with the ring after all is said and done.
