Now with the 2017 NBA season finally wrapped up, the league’s attention turns to the upcoming draft and free agency period. Some marquee names are scheduled to hit the free agency market this summer and not many have drawn more interest than Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.
Now twelve years deep into his illustrious NBA career, Paul’s playing days are going to begin dwindling soon and this summer could be his last opportunity to earn a hefty payday. While the Clippers certainly have plenty of talent to sway Paul into remaining with the team, their lack of success in the Western Conference playoffs could lead the veteran to look at other options.
Joining superstar Kawhi Leonard on the San Antonio Spurs and playing under the system of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich has already been discussed as one of the routes Paul might take. However, the Spurs aren’t where his choices will end this offseason. According to Broderick Turner of The LA Times, CP3 will meet with a couple other teams as well in addition to the Clips and Spurs when making his free agent decision:
The Clippers have recently become “nervous” about the reports that San Antonio will make a big push to get Paul and that the point guard has interest in talking to and possibly joining the Spurs, said one executive who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Paul also has plans to talk with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets, one executive said.
Whether Chris Paul leaves LA or remains is to be seen but it’s obvious that he will have no shortage of suitors. The opportunity to obtain one of the best floor generals of all time seldom comes around so teams with a hole at point guard will be clamoring for his services.
While the Clippers can give Paul the biggest paycheck, he could be better off elsewhere if his focus is solely on obtaining that elusive championship ring. It would be easy to envision the Spurs making a terrific fit but it could be different with the Rockets and Nuggets.
Houston already boasts one of the premier guard talents in James Harden and his switch to the point guard position this last season resulted in heaps of success for both him and his team. Adding Paul into the equation would slide Harden back to his original shooting guard spot and having two primary ball handlers sharing a backcourt could end up being cause for concern in H-Town. While Denver has some solid young pieces, Paul could give them the veteran savvy they need to get over the hump and into the Western Conference playoffs but that would likely be as far as they get.
With Chris Paul already looking to meet with a handful of teams, him remaining in Los Angeles for next year and beyond is anything but certain.
