Best and Worst Landing Spots for Notable 2024 NBA Free Agentshttps://t.co/viqk5GPaEc via @BleacherReport
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 16, 2024
Chris Paul
Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Paul may not hit free agency at all if the Golden State Warriors guarantee his salary and either keep or trade him. But if the Dubs cut him loose to save money, Paul could be a sought-after commodity in a weak point guard market.
If he’s willing to play a backup role like he did last season for the Warriors, there might be 20 teams that’d happily take him aboard and benefit from his presence in the rotation. Even teams for which he’s previously played—the Phoenix Suns and L.A. Clippers chief among them—would be decent landing spots if we could wave a magic wand and eliminate some of the awkward interpersonal angles in those scenarios.
Realistically, though, Paul might still prefer to start and win as much as possible.
That leaves a thinner field, led by a Los Angeles Lakers team that will likely be built around an age-40-season LeBron James. At least Paul would clearly fit the timeline here.
If D’Angelo Russell declines his player option and enters free agency, the Lakers will have a glaring void at the 1. And if they also hire a relatively untested head coach, it’ll help to have someone with Paul’s experience to complement James’.
Even if Russell picks up his option, CP3 could provide insurance or even give the Lakers more confidence in trading Russell away to fill out other areas of the roster.
CP3 finally making it to the Lakers after all these years? Not a fan but he would be great on a minimum salary as backup. Backup point guard and center have been vulnerabilities.