NBA Finals: Chris Paul 'not retiring,' hints at Suns return

July 21 (UPI) -- Veteran guard Chris Paul didn't provide reporters with a ton of feedback when asked for his reaction to the Phoenix Suns' NBA Finals loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, but did announce his plans to return for a 17th season.

Paul scored a team-high 26 points in a Game 6 loss Tuesday in Milwaukee. The Bucks won the series 4-2 and denied the All-Star point guard of another chance to earn his first championship.

"I mean, it will take a while to process this or whatnot, but it's same mentality, get back to work," Paul said when asked if he thinks he can return to the NBA Finals.

"I ain't retiring, if that's what you're asking. That's out. So, back to work."

Paul, 36, averaged 21.8 points, 8.2 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the series. He posted averages of 19.2 points, 8.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds this postseason.

The 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection and nine-time All-Defensive Team selection joined the Suns in a November trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Paul averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in 70 starts in the 2020-21 regular season. He also led the league with a free throw percentage of .934.

Paul's contract features a player option of $44.2 million for the 2021-22 season. Suns players credited Paul with carrying the team to the Finals. Suns center Deandre Ayton said he would start to recruit his teammate to return next season.

"I mean, hopefully," Ayton told reporters, when asked about recruiting Paul. "At the same time, you know, [Paul], man, he taught everybody a lot. But mainly just coming to play, coming to compete and just approaching the game the right way with consistency, approaching it in a way where there ain't no mishaps. Almost try to be perfect."

Paul did not confirm if he would decide to pick up his option, or opt out, but did hint that he could return to Phoenix.

"For me it just means back to work," Paul said of the Finals loss. "Back to work. Nothing more, nothing less. Ain't no moral victories or whatnot.

"We sort of saw what it takes to get there and hopefully we see what it takes to get past that."