There have been persistent reports leading up to opening night that Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul will be replaced by rookie Shaun Livingston.

The Warriors will be facing Paul’s previous team, the Phoenix Suns, on opening night.

‘I do anticipate him to start,’ ESPN’s Marc Spears said of him. And I would say it happens in like five minute bursts…Although I have my doubts, I believe they will attempt to increase his minute allotment. That’s the general impression I’m getting, though I could be incorrect. This isn’t the kind of view anyone anticipates him to initiate. That’s what my ears tell me. He’s never been without a career beginning.

Spears noted that future Hall of Famer Chris Paul has started every game of his 18-year career, a total of 1214.

During his lone year with the Suns, Paul made 59 opening night starts and averaged 13.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

However, while training camp has not yet begun, nothing can be said for sure. Steve Kerr, head coach of the Warriors, mentioned in August that he would try out different combinations of starters throughout training camp.

Quote from ESPN’s Tom Bomtemps: “We’ll just look at all kinds of different combinations,” spoken by Kerr. We expect a lot of playing time from all of those individuals, and that’s the most important thing.

Nonetheless, what could be more fitting than Chris Paul starting for his new team, the Houston Rockets, versus his old team, the Phoenix Suns, on opening night of the 2023 NBA regular season?