Could Chris Paul finally be a Laker? Throughout his career, the possibility of CP3 wearing the purple and gold has always teased the fans. But now his unexpected exit from the Clippers has unlocked one of the most intriguing possibilities of the season.
Clippers Gonna Clip
As reported by ESPN, there was tension between Paul and the coaching staff, and the organization abruptly cut ties rather than give the franchise’s best player a farewell tour. The Clippers continue to show why they are one of the worst organizations in the league. But now opens up an opportunity for the Lakers.
The Lakers cannot sign Chris Paul right now. But once the mid-January signing window opens, the better of the Los Angeles teams will legally and financially be able to add him without restrictions.
Why the Lakers Fit Is Real
For Chris Paul, the Lakers would be a great fit. A big reason he chose to go to the Clippers was so he could be with his family, who live in LA. By joining the Lakers, he still gets to do that and won’t have to uproot his life once again.
This Lakers roster doesn’t need vintage CP3. They just need someone who understands how to calm a game down. Someone who organizes late-clock possessions, punishes switches, and holds the second unit steady when Luka sits. Someone who won’t turn the ball over when the team can least afford it. That is still Chris Paul’s superpower.
He is another high-IQ player whose level is right up there with LeBron James. He’s also one of the few people not afraid to tell others, including LeBron, what they’re doing wrong. For two decades, fans and players have imagined LeBron and CP3 teaming up. Even in a smaller role, their basketball chemistry is too natural to ignore. He could be like another Rondo from their 2020 championship run.
What Chris Paul Could Provide
Chris Paul doesn’t need to turn back the clock or even carry the bench. He’d simply be the Lakers’ stabilizer, the guard who makes the offense functional for all 48 minutes. He’d mentor the guards, sharpen the team’s crunch-time execution, and give the Lakers a playoff-proof adult in the room. At the very least, he would be a veteran presence in the locker room and a legend of the game you could give a proper sendoff in the purple and gold.
