A Long-Awaited Move for Chris Paul to the Lakers
The Lakers have pursued Chris Paul for years, but the timing never aligned. With the San Antonio Spurs now adjusting their plans after Victor Wembanyama’s unfortunate injury, a pathway may have finally opened for CP3 to join the purple and gold.
San Antonio had made a strong push toward playoff contention by acquiring De’Aaron Fox before the trade deadline. However, Wembanyama’s season-ending shoulder injury due to blood clots has altered their trajectory. Now, the Spurs are in an unusual spot—too talented to tank fully, yet not competitive enough for a deep postseason run without their star player.
As a result, Paul, who arrived as part of the Fox trade, is a prime candidate for a buyout. The 12-time All-Star no longer fits San Antonio’s long-term vision, and if he becomes available, the Lakers should act quickly. Paul has been linked to the team for over a decade, dating back to the controversial vetoed trade in 2011.
At 39, Paul may no longer be in his prime, but he remains a top-tier floor general with invaluable playoff experience. Pairing him with LeBron James and Luka Doncic would give the Lakers another high-IQ playmaker, ensuring a well-balanced offense while positioning them for a deep postseason run.
With the Western Conference still open beyond the dominant Oklahoma City Thunder and possibly the Denver Nuggets, adding Paul could be the move that transforms the Lakers into true title contenders.
Chris Paul Finally Becomes a Los Angeles Laker
After more than a decade of speculation, Chris Paul might finally get the chance to wear Lakers colors. The Hall of Fame-bound point guard nearly joined the team in 2011 before the infamous league intervention, making him one of the greatest “what ifs” in franchise history.
Over the years, countless “Banana Boat” scenarios envisioned LeBron and CP3 teaming up in Los Angeles. Now, after moving between several teams late in his career, Paul could land with the Lakers through the buyout market.
With the Spurs adjusting to Wembanyama’s injury, keeping Paul on the roster ($10,460,000 for the 2024-25 season) makes little sense. A buyout seems inevitable, and if it happens, the Lakers should act swiftly. Paul is still a masterful playmaker, averaging 8.0 assists per game this season while surpassing Jason Kidd for second all-time in assists and steals.
Although his numbers (9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 35.3% from three) aren’t what they once were, Paul doesn’t need to be an All-NBA player anymore. His role would be to manage the game, control the pace, and ease the workload on LeBron and Luka, both of whom will handle much of the offensive burden.
With Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len as the Lakers’ lob threats, Paul’s arrival would elevate their pick-and-roll game significantly.
The biggest concern is his durability, as Paul has dealt with injuries in multiple playoff runs. However, in a reduced role alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis, he could maximize his impact while limiting his minutes. The Lakers don’t need Paul to be their savior—they need him to be the missing piece that elevates them from a good team to a great one.
San Antonio Spurs Shift Focus to the Future
The Spurs began the season aiming to take a major step forward with Wembanyama at the center of their plans. Their midseason acquisition of De’Aaron Fox underscored their commitment to winning.
But Wembanyama’s season-ending health setback has forced San Antonio to reconsider its approach. Instead of pushing for the playoffs, the smarter move now is to embrace the tank and prioritize the future.
With Fox cemented as their long-term point guard, keeping Paul no longer serves a purpose. CP3 was never a part of their future plans, and holding onto him would only take valuable development minutes from younger players. A buyout benefits both sides—Paul gets a shot at a title, and the Spurs get closer to securing a high draft pick.
Losing Wemby is a tough blow, but not a catastrophic one. Ensuring his long-term health remains the top priority, and by playing the draft lottery game in 2025, the Spurs can add another key piece alongside Fox and Wembanyama for the future.
Lakers Continue Stacking Talent for a Title Run
The Lakers have always pursued big-name talent, and adding Chris Paul could be another step in assembling a superteam after pulling off the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic. With LeBron’s career winding down, the franchise is making one final championship push.
Rob Pelinka has already shown a willingness to make bold midseason moves, cutting Christian Wood to sign Alex Len as part of their ongoing adjustments. If Paul joins, additional roster changes could follow to further strengthen the team.
With time running out for LeBron to compete for his fifth championship, the Lakers must maximize their window before fully transitioning into the Luka Doncic era. They currently hold the fourth seed in the West (34-21), but standing pat isn’t an option.
Bringing in Paul would not only improve their chances this season but also signal to Luka that the organization is committed to surrounding him with elite talent for years to come.
A potential starting five of Chris Paul, Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura would thrive in a small-ball setup. Alternatively, head coach JJ Redick could opt to bring Paul off the bench, providing LeBron and Luka with much-needed relief as primary ball handlers.
With CP3 in the mix, the Lakers would be primed for a deep playoff run, boasting a roster filled with experienced leaders and championship aspirations.
