A return to the Clippers is possible for Chris Paul this summer, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column.
Sources tell Stein that L.A. is among several teams that would be interested in the 39-year-old point guard if he becomes a free agent. Paul spent six years with the franchise and was one of the stars of the “Lob City” era.
Stein previously cited the Lakers and Spurs as potential landing spots for the 12-time All-Star. Paul told reporters last month that he doesn’t plan to retire after Golden State lost in the play-in tournament, and coach Steve Kerr expressed a desire to keep him, saying, “He’s still got good years left.” Paul prefers to stay close to his family in Los Angeles, Stein adds.
Stein cautions that reaching free agency will be the first step for Paul, who has a non-guaranteed $30MM salary for next season. He has an early salary guarantee date of June 28, so the Warriors have a little more than a month to decide whether he’s worth that investment. Stein points out that Golden State’s options include guaranteeing Paul’s salary and trading him to another team. The guarantee date could be extended, but that would require Paul’s consent.
Paul appeared in 58 games and made 18 starts this season after being traded twice last summer. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 26.4 minutes per night while shooting 44.1% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.
Stein’s sources say another possibility for the Clippers is Kyle Lowry, who turned 38 in March. Lowry will be an unrestricted free agent after finishing the season with the Sixers, who signed him in February following a buyout with Charlotte.
The Clippers’ summer moves will be affected by Russell Westbrook‘s decision on a $4MM player option, Stein adds. The 35-year-old point guard, who has spent the past season and a half with the team, has until June 29 to determine whether he wants to opt out and test free agency.
Why in the world would any sane person guarantee Paul $30 mil? His financial ceiling at this point is the MLE.
The Warriors might guarantee Paul’s salary so they could bring in another team’s unwanted perhaps 30 million guy.
Perhaps another team that would rather rebuild at this point has a very good player with a contract a bit too long for their liking? They’ll gladly take one year of Chris Paul in exchange for two or three or more years of another guy that doesn’t fit into their plans.
The new team could then buy out Paul or whatever they want to do.
But your point is valid for Chris Paul as a free agent. No team will sign him to a $30 million contract at this point.
It’s all about roster spots and salary slots for the warriors. If they waive Paul, because the Warriors are over the cap, they cannot just sign a 30 million free agent to replace him. That’s why his salary slot is extremely important and the decision regarding him is crucial.
They also have 2 FRPs they can attach to CP3 to facilitate a trade. Would be pretty easy to find a team that can shed 30M and want the 26 and 28 GSW FRP.
Like the Raptors, Wiz, Hawks, Blazers, Jazz all could pull a trade for CP3, get the picks, waive him and move on.
As a non-guaranteed contract, his salary in a trade becomes guaranteed for the amount of returning salary.
If the Warriors move him to a team for a player that makes 14M, he gets guaranteed for 14M.
Westbrook accepts player option. Chris Paul signs with Clippers. Patrick Beverley then signs with Clippers. Then the Clippers pick up Rondo to play during the Beverley suspension. Finally, set up a WWE ring in the locker room. First one out has to retire.
This is the preferred option. I don’t think Ballmer wants to subject the rims in his new arena to a shooting competition between these guys.
File under: How to make an old unhealthy team older and less dependable.
I’m with you. I watched The Warriors all year. Chris Paul actually does not look very good at this point. I mean, he’s actually just okay.
He’s a backup who is serviceable at best. I think the warriors were hoping for the Chris Paul who was great in Phoenix 3 years ago. But that didn’t happen.
So I really don’t think Paul will be on the Warriors next year. It’ll either be a trade or they’ll just not guarantee the contract. Let him walk.
Nobody on planet earth was expecting the Chris Paul of 3 years ago. Warriors were hoping for anything better than Jordan Poole.
I was hoping for the Phoenix Chris Paul of 3 years ago. I thought he would give the Warriors and big boost off the bench and playing less minutes as a backup would help make that happen. I was optimistic for sure.
Yeah get older, “Wiser”, Slower.
As a Warrior fan I would be very surprised if they trade him. Teams know the warriors don’t want to pick up the $30 million so why trade something of value for him?
It’s possible there’s teams who would like to rebuild who have a guy making 30 on the books for more years than what the team desires.
I.E. how Paul was traded for Jordan Poole in the first place
One year later the Suns would trade Beal for Paul today if they could
Zach LaVine, Tyler Herro, Ben Simmons, Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, C.J. McCollum, DeAndre Ayton are among the big name players with terrible contracts.
Paul AND Lowry? Do the Clippers want to be as old as possible?
Yikes. I took it as 1 or the other when I first read it. But it does imply they might be interested in both, should they be available.
Just need Wesley Matthews and P.J. Tucker (can’t recall where he finished the season or his status at the moment) to round out the senior citizen squad.
Some things are just so dumb. Does not need a response……
Paul has a $30 million non-guaranteed contract with the Warriors for the 2024-25 NBA season, which Golden State can get out of by waiving Paul before the contract becomes guaranteed on June 28. If that happens, Paul will become a free agent.
CP3 is finished. I wouldn’t sign him for vet minimum.
His almost 7 assists per game in limited time is still of value, along with his percentages. Sprinkle in his vet leadership and he’d be worth an exception slot with a backup role. The issue with him and GSW is that he’s on the wrong team, and the same goes for the Clippers if he, Harden and Westbrook are all hanging out together as well. I think Paul would do well in Philly, Denver, and of course the Lakers.
Incredible how you’re a Knicks fan yet have no idea how this works. The Knicks are going to guarantee Bojan Bogdanovic’s 19M. They would have done so for Evan Fournier as well.
50/50 chance he retires.
Players don’t retire if the money is there. Unless he’s making a direct leap to coaching ala Jason Kidd, he’ll be back.
I hope GSW brings back CP3. When Klay’s shot isn’t falling his attitude and body language is terrible. If he wants to leave? Let him go. I’d rather have CP3 than Klay if that choice has to be made. I’d run back last year’s team and maybe add a physical presence in the middle.
Wiggins
Kuminga
Green
BPod
Curry
CP3
GP2
TJD
Moody
Looney
Klay
nope. wiggins unmotivated malcontent attitude needs to be sent back to CAN. the guy can’t find motivation to play with the big 3 Dynasty?
klay is best suited for a 6th man role. what top 4 team is giving him starting 2/3 role? he also was exposed quite badly last 2 playoffs by these younger, quicker wings driving past him and then he let’s his inability to guard affect his shot-making.
warriors desperately need a rim protector and floor spacing. I like kelly olynyk as a fit.