Chris Paul Will Likely Sign With This Team

The Chris Paul Era is officially over in Phoenix. On Wednesday, the Suns waived Chris Paul before his 2023-2024 salary was set to be guaranteed, thus making him one of the most desirable free agents on the market. While he’s still guaranteed $15.8 million of his $30.8 million salary and could re-sign with the Suns if he clears waivers, it seems logical to assume that the relationship was fractured for good.

Assuming that’s the case, it’s time to think about which team CP3 could suit up for next season.

PointsBet released initial odds and they may surprise you: Lakers +225, Clippers +450, 76ers +700, Bucks +800, Timberwolves +900, Heat +1000, Mavericks +1000 and Knicks +1000. In my opinion, only one of those teams makes sense: the Lakers at +225. 

Chris Paul To Lakers (+225)

Still in search of his first NBA championship, the future Hall of Fame point guard could join close friend LeBron James and star big man Anthony Davis and provide a veteran presence to second-year head coach Darvin Ham’s squad. Remember, Paul was set to join the Lakers earlier in his career before David Stern stepped in and prevented the deal from going down. This seems like the inevitable destination for him to end his career and sets up a potential storybook ending.

The only players on the Lakers’ roster that have guaranteed salaries for next season are James, Davis, Mo Bamba, Jarred Vanderbilt and Max Christie. LA most likely won’t pick up Malik Beasley’s team option of over $16M and they have a qualifying offer of just under $8.5M out for restricted free agent Rui Hachimura, who is likely to sign an offer sheet elsewhere. Point guards D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder are both not under contract and the main goal of the front office will likely be re-signing Austin Reaves, a restricted free agent that is sure to get some lucrative offer sheets. 

Adding Paul to form a core with James and Davis would undoubtedly create additional interest from others in the free agent market and the Lakers also have a first-round NBA Draft pick to either use or trade coming up. Deciding to let Reaves go as a restricted free agent could allow LA to add role players in free agency like some of these guys: Brook Lopez, Christian Wood, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jakob Poeltl, Mason Plumlee, Seth Curry, Torrey Craig, Georges Niang, Trey Lyles, Max Strus, Shake Milton and others.

In summary, this is the clear destination for Paul and I would be surprised if he doesn't end up wearing a Lakers jersey to start next season.

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