Report: Chris Paul Would Draw Interest From Clippers, Lakers If He Becomes Free Agent

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Chris Paul would draw interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers if he becomes a free agent. 

Paul has a non-guaranteed contract with the Golden State Warriors for next season. 

“This is a big week for Chris Paul’s future,” Stein wrote. “The 39-year-old’s $30 million contract for next season becomes guaranteed if he is on Golden State’s roster or another team’s after June 28 … as in Friday. If the team that has Paul on its roster Friday wants to be completely free of the salary obligation, he can be released and proceed to the open market with a chance to choose his next destination.

“The Warriors, league sources say, have continued to explore their trade options with Paul’s trade-friendly contract in conjunction with Wednesday’s draft as well as the prospect of pushing the Friday deadline into July if Paul is amenable to that amendment (as covered here previously). Count on Paul’s situation being one of the prime topics raised Monday afternoon when Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. holds a pre-draft news conference — after Dunleavy, of course, is quizzed on free agent-to-be Klay Thompson‘s future with the only team Thompson has ever known.

“I keep hearing that Paul, if he actually makes to free agency at some point, would draw interest from the Clippers as well as the Lakers. Paul’s desire to play as close to his L.A.-based family as possible is well-known, but I’m told interest in bringing him to the Lakers might not be unanimous within the organization despite Paul’s well-chronicled friendship with LeBron James.”

Paul appeared in 58 games for the Warriors in 2023-24. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line. 

Paul has career averages of 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.4 assists. He’s one of the best point guards in NBA history. 

A future Hall of Famer, Paul played for the Clippers from 2011-12 to 2016-17.