Chris Paul's Former Clippers Teammate Hopes The Point God Joins The Lakers
12-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul has been at the center of the basketball world recently, in part due to him being traded to the Washington Wizards for shooting guard Bradley Beal. Now, it's extremely unlikely that Paul ever suits up for the Wizards and the team apparently is willing to help facilitate a trade for the point guard to a contending team. If they aren't able to do so, the Wizards would then waive Paul, making him a free agent.
It's no secret around the NBA that Paul prefers to be in Los Angeles. His family is there and both LA teams would give him a chance to win. The Lakers would give him a chance to team up with his good friend in LeBron James while the Clippers would be a reunion for him after spending years with them in the mid-2010s. J. J. Redick, who served as the starting shooting guard alongside Paul, seems to think that the Lakers would give the future Hall of Famer a better chance to win than the Clippers.
"With Chris Paul's level of intelligence, LeBron [James], and his ability to play pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis... If I'm Chris and I'm like, 'Where can I [win] a championship?'... To me it feels more like the Lakers [are the better fit]."
J.J. Redick, The Old Man & The Three Podcast
A trio of Paul, James and Anthony Davis would be pretty special. Paul and Davis could execute the pick-and-roll to perfection while Paul would also help take some of the load off James to be the primary ball handler. If Paul winds up as a free agent, the Lakers would be at the forefront to sign him but the team has no interest in trying to trade for the veteran All-Star from Washington.
This is where the Clippers come in as they have multiple contracts that they could ship over to Washington in a Paul deal. Forming a trio of Paul, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has the feel of something special as well. At this point, it may be more likely than Paul ends up with the Clippers but nothing is finalized.
Both teams could use a player like Paul and both teams have a need at the point guard position. His free agency (if we get there), will be fun to watch and hopefully we get to finally see Paul wear the purple and gold this season.
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