The Los Angeles Clippers made the move fans had been waiting for on Monday when they agreed to a deal with Chris Paul. He'll return to Los Angeles, where he wanted to be, so he can be with his family (and maybe win a championship). The belief is that Paul will come off the bench as a backup for James Harden, but will that happen?
Soon after free agency began, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported that Paul wanted to remain an NBA starter, saying that's why he hadn't made a decision yet. Since then, the Clippers signed Bradley Beal, who fans think will start after LA traded Norman Powell to Miami.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Paul will play a reserve role, saying he could sit out for entire games. Windhorst said that Paul understands that playing time isn't guaranteed. Lawrence Frank confirmed that when he said there will be nights when Paul plays "a lot" and nights when he doesn't.
Yes, Paul is 40, so it isn't surprising that playing time won't be guaranteed, but keep in mind that he did start all 82 of the Spurs' games last season.
Clippers could experiment with different starting lineups
Paul won't be the only player on the bench who started in every game they played last season. The Clippers signed Brook Lopez in free agency, and he started 80 games for the Bucks in 2024-25. He isn't taking Ivica Zubac's starting job, unless an injury happens (knock on wood that one won't).
Zubac, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden will be in the starting lineup. LA acquired John Collins in the Powell trade, and he'll likely be the starting power forward. Now that Beal will play without the weight of his contract on his chest with the Suns, he could lock himself into the starting shooting guard spot with a strong start to the season.
Los Angeles could have one of the best benches in the league, but if the team's starting unit gets off to a slow start, maybe Ty Lue will throw Paul into the starting five. The Clippers have said that Paul will play a reserve role, but it's too early to determine if that could change. Training camp and preseason will help answer that question.
One of the things that Paul is known for is his ego. LA told him upfront what his role would be, but maybe he will push for something more. He isn't the player he used to be when he was with the Clippers during his first stint in Los Angeles, but he still shows flashes of the player he once was.