The Golden State Warriors are currently in the midst of what figures to be a crucial offseason for the future direction of the franchise, including regarding what they will do with point guard Chris Paul. The Paul experiment was largely a failure in Golden State, as the veteran point guard failed to provide the consistent bench production the team had hoped he would going into the season, opening the door for some potential trade scenarios this offseason for the multi-time All-Star.
Recently, NBA insider Marc Stein shed some light on these rumors, including the notion that the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs could be potential suitors for Paul.
“The Spurs and the Lakers keep coming up as potential suitors for the Warriors' Chris Paul if Paul becomes a free agent this offseason,” reported Stein on The Stein Line on Substack. “Paul's longstanding friendship with LeBron James and his well-known desire to stay as close to his L.A.-based family as possible certainly add credence to the notion of the Lakers' signing him.”
However, Stein also highlighted some of the other potential options that the Warriors have regarding Paul and his massive contract.
“Paul's $30 million salary for next season becomes fully guaranteed on June 28 if Golden State does not waive him … or if the Warriors trade him to a team that decides to keep him. The Warriors, league sources say, are currently evaluating those options,” reported Stein. “If the team that has Paul on its roster on June 28 wants to be completely free of the salary obligation, Paul will be let go and proceed to the open market with a chance to choose his next destination. The accomplished point guard just turned 39 on May 6.
“Another option, I'm told, that has not yet been ruled out is Golden State and Paul agreeing to move that guarantee date into July — although it can't be done unilaterally. The Warriors would need Paul's consent for such an alteration, which would expand the window to explore potential trades.”
Where would Chris Paul fit?
In a vacuum, it's easy to see why both the Lakers and the Spurs could be viewed as ideal destinations for Paul at this twilight stage of his career. As Stein referenced, Paul is a longtime friend of LeBron James, who also is in the Age 39 bracket, and the Lakers' lack of playmaking depth was thoroughly exposed in their playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets for this second straight year this spring.
Conversely, the San Antonio Spurs are also in dire need of some playmaking around rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, whose teammates drew the ire of fans everywhere this year for their apparent unwillingness to pass their superstar teammate the ball. The Spurs could also certainly use a veteran face or two on a roster that is filled with young players from top to bottom.
In any case, regardless of what they do with Chris Paul, fans should expect major changes with the Warriors this offseason as the team attempts to maximize the final years of Stephen Curry's career.
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