With the 2023 NBA draft less than a week away, the potential landscape for player movement this offseason is starting to take shape.
Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star point guard, could be waived or stretched by the Phoenix Suns this month. Such a decision would result in multiple suitors for him, and one of those suitors would reportedly be the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that if Paul becomes a free agent, the Lakers would have “strong interest” in signing him (h/t Lakers Daily).
Via The Athletic:
“The Lakers would have strong interest in signing Chris Paul if the guard is waived or stretched by the Suns, multiple team sources told The Athletic.”
Paul is 38 years of age, and his production has dramatically declined over the last year or two, especially his scoring and his overall efficiency. Still, he could help reduce the load on an aging LeBron James while helping to get James and Anthony Davis more easy baskets in the right scenario.
Paul in a diminished role?
Buha seemed to imply in his piece that the Lakers may aim to sign Paul to a veteran’s minimum contract to maintain salary cap flexibility. They have other needs, including at least one true 3-and-D wing and possibly greater frontcourt depth, especially at the center position.
Buha also reported that one possibility could be to have both Paul and D’Angelo Russell on the roster next season.
“Another option the Lakers have discussed is signing Paul and retaining D’Angelo Russell to truly solidify their point guard position, according to those sources.”
Russell, who played very well in the regular season but struggled in the Western Conference finals, will become a free agent in a couple of weeks.
This season, Paul averaged 13.9 points a game on 44% field-goal shooting, and he mustered just 12.4 points a game on 41.8% shooting in the playoffs. Those numbers were well below his career averages, as he has historically been a very efficient player.
