Lakers ‘Obvious Choice’ as Landing Spot for $30 Million Point Guard

Assuming he’s cut, Paul could re-sign with the Warriors at the minimum, but he may move on. The Lakers and [Los Angeles] Clippers are the obvious choices, as Paul’s family still resides in Los Angeles. The chance to play with [LeBron] James and the Lakers may trump the Clippers, though Paul is undoubtedly familiar with the other L.A. team from his prior stint. He could consider the [Phoenix] Suns, who have a hole at point guard.

The [San Antonio] Spurs could offer Paul a larger salary to run the pick-and-roll with [Victor] Wembanyama, but the L.A. teams probably make more sense unless San Antonio offers enough.

Chris Paul Can Offer Lakers Value Option at Point Guard

Getty Chris Paul of the Golden State Warriors.

Paul will play next season at 39 years old, which would make the Lakers’ lineup even older in comparison to the rest of the NBA given that James will turn 40 in December.

Still, if Paul is willing to sign on for a veteran minimum, he will provide the Lakers with a seasoned initiator of offense as the team tries to get over the hump in a Western Conference full of youthful talent on the rise.

Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 26.4 minutes per game across 58 appearances for Golden State last season, which included 18 starts, per Basketball Reference.

Adding Paul on a value contract should fill a key role while keeping the Lakers’ options open as far as adding another star to the mix. There are several players on L.A.’s radar, including Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks, as well as DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls.

Kyle Lowry Could Also End Up With Lakers Depending on How Free Agency Shakes Out

GettyKyle Lowry, formerly of the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. 

If Paul ends up elsewhere, the Lakers will have another veteran option to fill their potential point guard void in Kyle Lowry.

Lowry played for both the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers last season and will also become a free agent this summer. Pincus noted the Lakers as a team likely to offer Lowry a minimum deal, along with a couple others, depending on how free agency plays out.

“He’s probably better suited for a bench role, but Lowry is one of the great older veterans in the league. The Sixers may bring him back, either on a minimum contract or with part of their RMLE,” Pincus wrote. “While that seems like the most likely outcome, he’ll probably have minimum offers from the Clippers, Lakers and Suns.”