The Golden State Warriors have decided not to exercise their $30 million team option on Chris Paul, making him a free agent this summer. Despite his age of 39, Paul still has value in the NBA but not at that price tag. This decision by the Warriors opens up a new chapter in Paul’s career as he explores potential landing spots for the upcoming season.
Among the teams that have expressed interest in Paul are the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers, led by LeBron James, have been linked to Paul due to his desire to stay close to his family in Los Angeles. Paul’s ability to provide depth and leadership off the bench could be valuable to the Lakers as they look to strengthen their roster for the next season.
On the other hand, the Spurs are in need of a point guard to complement their young core led by Victor Wembanyama. While their priority may be a younger starting point guard, the addition of a veteran like Paul could bring valuable experience and leadership to the team. Paul’s high basketball IQ and ability to mentor younger players could make him a good fit in San Antonio.
Regardless of where Chris Paul ends up, he is expected to have multiple options as a free agent. Steve Kerr, who coached Paul in Golden State, has expressed his admiration for the point guard and hopes to see him back on the court next season. Ultimately, Paul’s decision will come down to what role he wants to play on a team and where he feels he can make the biggest impact.