A shocking NBA move was made on Wednesday when the Los Angeles Clippers released 40-year-old point guard Chris Paul. In what he has openly described as his final season in the league, Paul now becomes a free agent, with the ability to sign with any team that is interested in his services.
NBA Rumors: 3 Possible Destinations For Chris Paul
Here are three likely landing spots for Chris Paul in the coming days or weeks:
Houston Rockets
Could Paul go from one reunion to another? From 2017 until 2019, the point guard played for the Rockets, who could have won an NBA championship if not for the Golden State Warriors. The team has transformed into a contender again, and are all-in on their current roster thanks to the Kevin Durant trade over the summer. If Paul wants one last shot at winning a championship, Houston could be a viable option.
The Rockets might be able to use the veteran’s presence. Fred VanVleet’s pre-season injury placed uncertainty in the team’s backcourt, though Reed Sheppard has done a great job filling in. But having a veteran presence like Chris Paul in the rotation would likely be beneficial, especially late in the season when the team needs a reliable floor general.
Phoenix Suns
Though they came later in his career, Paul’s years with the Suns were some of his best. He made his only NBA Finals appearance in 2021, and in the process regained his All-NBA form while over the age of 35. Could he return to the desert in his final season in the league?
Before re-signing with the Clippers this summer, Phoenix was among the teams linked to Paul. He has familiarity with the organization and of course with Devin Booker, and a return to Phoenix might also offer a shot at another postseason run to close out his career. The team has exceeded expectations so far this season, sporting a record of 13-9 at the start of December.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been one of the more disappointing teams so far this season, already finding themselves eight games under .500 long before the holidays even begin. Their backcourt is young, consisting of 19-year-old Cooper Flagg and 22-year-old Max Christie, and they still have a long ways to go before Kyrie Irving is ready to return from his Achilles injury. His skill set with veteran leadership and big-game experience could help serve as a bridge guard until Irving returned.
Along with the Suns and Clippers, Dallas was one of the teams that had their eye on Paul in the offseason. But in his quest to finally win an NBA championship, would the 40-year-old point guard choose to sign with a team that is off to a 7-15 start to the year?
