The Suns want to part ways with Chris Paul, and according to multiple NBA analysts, the guard may return to Los Angeles.
Considering the Lakers had underwhelming production from guard D’Angelo Russell, who made $31.4M and is a pending free agent, according to Spotrac, there is room for experimentation. Also, Lebron James’ possible retirement or move to the Mavericks to play alongside Kyrie Irving is something to keep in mind, as Paul is a longtime friend of James and could be acquired as a sweetener.
The Clippers, however, shouldn’t express interest in the 38-year-old. Paul is one of the more injury-prone players, and the Clippers are arguably the most injury-prone team. Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have cost the Clippers deep runs in the postseason due to freak injuries, and CP3 is known to break down toward the end of seasons.
Paul has also faced the Clippers in two of the last three postseasons, often being an irritant next to stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. According to Law Murray of The Athletic, Paul may not be accepted by the Clippers’ locker room.
If the Clippers were interested in Paul again, they would have to move on from Russell Westbrook. Prioritizing Paul over Westbrook, who just averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists against Paul in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, would be the wrong decision.
The Clippers and Paul have seen this movie before with “Lob City,” and that era was a failure, especially in the playoffs.
There isn’t promise in a CP3-Clippers reunion. The Clippers would be making the same mistake they did with John Wall last offseason, who is out of the league.
