Rumors: LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard want Chris Paul
The LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard want to add Chris Paul to the roster.
The LA Clippers continue to be active in the offseason as they attempt to shore up their point guard position. As they search for a playmaker to add to the roster, several names have popped up. The newest name on that list, Chris Paul, comes from Ryen Russillo of The Ringer. Russillo not only says that the Clips are interested in the All-Star point guard but that Kawhi Leonard himself reached out.
Hearing news about Kawhi wanting someone is a pretty big deal. Usually a quiet guy to the media, we have heard murmurs here and there from him. Earlier this offseason, he reportedly told the team that he felt the roster needed another playmaker. If this report is true, Leonard seems to have exactly who he wants in mind.
Clipper Nation is obviously familiar with Paul who spent six seasons with the franchise during the Lob City era. CP3 was thought to be on a downward trajectory at this point in his career but proved last season on a wily Oklahoma City Thunder squad that he still has some game left.
The issue here for the Clippers is obviously the lack of an avenue to acquire Paul. The team has few assets as OKC already owns most of their draft picks and no big contracts outside of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to make the money match. If a deal were to be made, there would likely have to be a third party to get involved.
CP3 is probably on the move somewhere, with Phoenix being the favorite to land him at this time. The two teams have discussed deals but would also probably need the help of another franchise to facilitate the idea. While the Clippers couldn’t get Paul in that scenario, they may be able to get Ricky Rubio.
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Paul and Rubio are just two of the players the Clips could make a move for. There have been rumors about interest in Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo. Jrue Holiday also looks to be on the move. The Clips have options but will just need to evaluate which gives them both the best opportunity to win while also not giving up the little they have left.