Warriors waive Chris Paul; Thompson likely gone

The Golden State Warriors are waiving guard Chris Paul, who had a Sunday deadline to guarantee his $30 million salary for this season, the team announced.

Paul now becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Paul came off the bench for the first time in his decorated career last season, accepting a reduced role with the Warriors. He averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 26.4 minutes.

The 39-year-old veteran was acquired for Jordan Poole last summer — a move that now equates to a salary dump, as Paul’s contract is coming off of the books for nothing.

The Warriors initially pushed Paul’s guarantee date so they could explore possible trade opportunities, but nothing materialized.

In addition to shedding that salary, the Warriors are likely to be without Klay Thompson next season, who is an unrestricted free agent and is increasingly unlikely to resign with his team for the last 13 years. This leaves the Warriors with a $147.2 million committed salary for next season and enter free agency as a non-taxpaying mid-level team.

They’ll have the $12.8 million midlevel exception and bi-annual exception to use on free agent signings.

Meanwhile, Thompson plans on having discussions with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers in the opening hours of free agency, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Thompson’s tenure with the Warriors approaches its end as relationships between the two parties fractured and contract negotiations never resumed following last summer.

Sources told ESPN that the midlevel exception the Lakers could offer him may not be enough to bring him to Los Angeles, but Thompson is open to listening to intriguing offers and opportunities.