Veteran or not, with or without superstar status, every player has the unwritten desire to contribute to winning. Most prefer it to be on the hardwood, through playing time, but a guy like Patty Mills found joy in hyping his teammates up while hitting a three-pointer once ever blue moon.
Chris Paul, another guard who signed with the LA Clippers less than a week after Bradley Beal, may be in the grey area, not knowing what to expect. He originally wanted the starting job, yet that aspiration dwindled, as he still chose a reunion with the world’s best fans and organization.
Furthermore, with Paul on the bench, the Clippers have a complete arsenal, from point guard to center, on both ends of their rotation, to win a championship. They arguably have the best starting five, with multiple sixth men who can complement each other, much like LA did with Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell.
However, regarding Paul’s role in the second unit, some nights will be different than others. Head coach Tyronn Lue could use him as the first substitute, playing him over 20 minutes, or the veteran guard may record less than 10 minutes in a close battle where athleticism is mandatory.
These games will still require Paul to celebrate the team’s production, as Mills did in 2024-25; yet, in a surprising way, a championship could still be won in the last season of his career.
The role of Chris Paul, a 40-year-old guard, in the first championship for himself and the LA Clippers could come in an unexpected manner
The best way for Chris Paul to fully enjoy his last season in the NBA, with the team he loves, the LA Clippers, is not to expect a specific role to be given to him from Tyronn Lue and the coaching staff.
Moreover, the Clippers will need Paul's availability, as his ridiculous 20th season in the NBA consisted of playing 82 games and averaging 8.8 points and 7.4 assists. He may have done it on a San Antonio Spurs team that won 34 games, but his playmaking could also last a lifetime of basketball, as he has been the same since his rookie days as a New Orleans Hornet.
That said, the Clippers want to win now and, of course, complete Paul’s dream; thus, what he should only expect from LA is winning through hard work, dedication, and resilience.