It’s the kind of headline that makes you look twice, but the dots are connecting fast. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Chris Paul is prioritizing a potential return to Los Angeles if he does in fact suit up for a 21st NBA season (subscription required). And with the LA Clippers needing to shore up their backcourt depth after a chaotic, disappointing finish to their 2024-25 campaign, a reunion with their former franchise legend suddenly sounds more realistic than ever.
Stein noted that Paul would be a $5.7 million target for the Dallas Mavericks, but there’s a growing belief that he "is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles." And while that puts the Lakers on the table, the Clippers might actually be the better fit for what Paul likely wants at this stage of his career: Familiarity and one last shot at meaningful playoff basketball without being asked to do too much.
It’s wild to think, but CP3 just finished a full 82-game season as the starting point guard for the San Antonio Spurs. At 39 years old, Paul was essentially brought in as a culture-setter and developmental leader for Victor Wembanyama and company. He wasn’t expected to be flashy, but he certainly proved he still has enough left in the tank to be a contributor in the right situation.
Chris Paul "is determined" to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles
That right situation could end up looking like a Clippers reunion. Of course, Paul’s tenure with the franchise from 2011 to 2017 helped turn the Clippers from perennial punchline to a nightly League Pass must-watch. The "Lob City" era gave the franchise a much-needed jolt of relevance. Paul remains one of the most beloved and respected players in franchise history.
The Clippers’ current roster is aging and on the expensive side. Bringing in a floor general like Paul on a team-friendly deal could help stabilize their second unit and reduce turnovers in crucial moments of the game.
CP3 wouldn't be a total game-changer, and he wouldn’t need to be. But as a plug-and-play veteran with extensive playoff experience, a clear connection to the fanbase, and a chance to finish his Hall of Fame career where it truly took off, the move makes a lot of sense.
The money would have to work, and the role would have to be clearly defined. But if both sides are open to it, Chris Paul coming back to the Clippers feels like the kind of feel-good basketball story that still has some practical upside.