Chris Paul Rumors: Lakers, Spurs Seen as Landing Spots If Warriors PG Becomes FA

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVMay 23, 2024

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The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs “keep coming up as potential suitors” for point guard Chris Paul if he hits free agency this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reported the Golden State Warriors are still weighing what to do with Paul, whose $30 million salary for the 2024-25 season becomes fully guaranteed on June 28.

Stein added there’s a possibility Golden State and Paul could mutually agree to delay his guarantee deadline into July. His payout would be very helpful to the Warriors in sign-and-trade scenarios or a straightforward swap with another team.

Were the 12-time All-Star to get released by the Warriors or traded elsewhere and promptly dumped, the Lakers and Spurs both make sense as landing spots.

Paul is the last player from the famous banana boat crew who has yet to team up with LeBron James. His friendship with James would ease his transition into purple and gold.

The 39-year-old, even in his present form, probably wouldn’t get played off the floor in the playoffs in the same way D’Angelo Russell has, either.

Of course, signing an aging point guard who has historically struggled to stay healthy would carry some obvious risk for L.A. Depending on what other business general manager Rob Pelinka completes, only managing to land Paul would be termed a disappointment given the caliber of stars who have been linked with the team.

The Spurs, meanwhile, could use an upgrade at point guard to reinvigorate their offense and accelerate the development of Victor Wembanyama.

San Antonio was first in assist percentage (71.2) but a more pedestrian 17th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.97), per NBA.com. Adding Paul would give the team another playmaker and ease its reliance on Tre Jones.

His time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns also showed how he can help elevate a promising young roster. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are among the notable examples of players he made better.

Even as a one-year stopgap, the benefits of signing Paul would ideally extend well beyond his tenure with the Spurs.