NBA News has been off the charts during the 2023 NBA Finals. New head coaching hires, players moving onto free agency, and players still undecided about where they want to play in 2023-24. Chris Paul has been added to the surprising list of names who will be involved in free agency this year. The Phoenix Suns waived the 12-time All-Star earlier this week. Where is Paul most likely to land? We have some ideas.
Top Five Landing Spots For Point Guard Chris Paul (NBA News)
In an article by Tristian Rawcliffee, these are the top five landing spots for Guard Chris Paul (NBA News):
#1. Los Angeles Lakers:
The LA Lakers are currently viewed as the favorite to land Chris Paul through trade or free agency. Paul is good friends with LA Lakers superstar LeBron James. Meanwhile, the Lakers could use another reliable playmaker outside of James.
The team is reportedly torn on whether to re-sign combo guard D’Angelo Russell, who is more of a pure scorer than a playmaker. Landing Paul would make it easier for the Lakers to move on from Russell while also helping them extend their title window.
#2. Boston Celtics:
Like the LA Lakers, the Boston Celtics could use another playmaker like Chris Paul. The team lacked a pure point guard all season and struggled to generate consistent offense at times in the playoffs.
Paul would also provide the Celtics with extra veteran leadership and an edge that many believe they were missing this year.
#3. Houston Rockets:
The Houston Rockets are reportedly looking to accelerate their rebuild after finishing near the bottom of the league for the third straight year. Houston is coming off a season where they finished 14th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record.
Meanwhile, they finished last in the league in terms of team assists with 22.4 APG. So adding Chris Paul’s veteran leadership and 8.9 APG could do wonders for their young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.
Plus, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported in May that the Rockets would have interest in Paul if he becomes available.
#4. Philadelphia 76ers:
Philadelphia 76ers star guard James Harden is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option for next season to become an unrestricted free agent. Harden is reportedly torn between re-signing in Philly or re-joining his old team, the Houston Rockets.
If Harden ends up leaving the Sixers, Toronto Raptors star point guard Fred VanVleet has been mentioned as a potential replacement signing. However, if the Sixers strike out on both players and Chris Paul is waived, he could make for a solid fallback option.
Signing Paul would, at the very least, help mitigate the loss of Harden and ensure Philly remains competitive around superstar center Joel Embiid.
#5. Milwaukee Bucks:
The Milwaukee Bucks could use some roster reinforcements after falling in five games to the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. They have limited financial flexibility, however, if Chris Paul is waived, they could still be strong suitors for the veteran point guard.
Paul would provide the Bucks with additional playmaking. He would also give Milwaukee a lethal starting five of Paul, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, assuming the Bucks retain their free agents.
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