Report: CP3 interested Clippers in free agency as backup guard originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
When Chris Paul hits the NBA free agent market, he will have suitors for the 2024-2025 season.
While the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs have already been linked to Paul, who is currently on the Warriors’ roster, the Los Angeles Clippers – his former team – could join the mix.
‘Yet I heard that this week [Chris] Paul and Kyle Lowry, whose free agency is looming after finishing last season in Philadelphia, are veteran guards who are reportedly interested in the Clippers,” wrote NBC Sports NBA contributor Marc Stein in his latest Substack newsletter (Kurt Helin of h /tPro Basketball Talk).
Paul has a non-guaranteed salary of $30 million for the 2024-2025 season, and the Warriors have until June 28 to decide whether or not to waive the veteran point guard or guarantee his salary.
The Warriors could also use Paul’s contract to facilitate a trade this offseason.
Paul’s Warriors tenure was always thought to be a one-year deal, with Golden State acquiring him from the Washington Wizards in the Jordan Poole trade last summer.
The short-term commitment to Paul was seen as a way for the Warriors to shed long-term payroll while avoiding luxury tax penalties from the CBA.
But Paul embraced a reduced bench role for the Warriors in his 19th NBA season and was still productive when he was on the court. In 58 games, including 18 starts, the 39-year-old averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 26.4 minutes. He shot 44.1 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range, in line with his numbers from the 2022-2023 season.
While it’s unclear what the future holds for Paul, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced after the season ended that he would be in favor of Golden State bringing back the veteran point guard.
“Chris was fantastic, not just on the court, but in his leadership,” Kerr said at his end-of-season press conference following the Warriors’ play-in tournament loss to the Kings. “It was a difficult situation for him that he handled beautifully. He has always been the starting point guard for his team. But you look at our team, and we’re quite small. Even though he’s one of our best players, if we want to field our best players and he’s one of them, you start adding Chris, Steph together. [Curry]Klay [Thompson] – it’s not the ideal selection for him.
“…The way he handled it this year was unbelievable. So professional, such a great mentor to the younger guys. One of the great pros I’ve ever been around – just his approach, his attitude and his sacrifice. I loved coaching Chris and I really hope we get him back next year.”
Paul spent six seasons with the Clippers, arriving in Los Angeles in 2011 before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2017.
If Paul isn’t back with the Warriors, there’s a good chance he’ll see them as an opponent next season.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
