Report: CP3 expected to receive free agent interest from Lakers and Clippers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Chris Paul’s future with the Warriors remains uncertain, but if he were to leave the Bay Area, his next destination might not take him out of the state of California.
While Paul is still under contract, Golden State has until June 28 to fully guarantee the year and $30 million remaining on his contract, or give up veteran point guard.
If Paul were to enter free agency, the the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are among the teams expected to be interested in the services of the future Hall of Famer, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday.
The 19-year NBA veteran spent the 2023-24 season with the Warriors. serving as an anchor of Golden State’s second unit, while also sliding into the starting point guard role when Steph Curry missed time.
Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game in 58 appearances during his lone season in the Bay Area.
The 12-time NBA All-Star provided valuable experience while on the court for the Warriors, but Golden State could focus on using Paul’s cap spot to facilitate a trade for a younger player, given the veteran point guard has 39 years. -old .
Paul has long been a close friend of Lakers superstar LeBron James, although the two have never played together on the same NBA team. However, he was teammates with Clippers star James Harden when the duo joined the Houston Rockets for two seasons from 2017 to 2019, making a potential reunion in Los Angeles intriguing.
Regardless of who retains interest in Paul should he become available, the Warriors ultimately remain first dibs on his services if they decide to retain the veteran point guard for another season, albeit at a steep price.
