Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul could be waived by the Phoenix Suns but he is looking to help a team win. Here are contenders that could benefit from adding him.
Reportedly, star point guard Chris Paul could be waived by the Phoenix Suns in the next week or two. Paul is a 12-time all-star, five-time assist champ, 11-time All-NBA member, and nine-time All-Defensive player. Despite all that he has accomplished, he has continued to come up short in the postseason.
The one thing that lacks from Paul's legacy is a championship. He and the Suns were up 2-0 against the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals but, in classic Chris Paul fashion, the Bucks won four straight.
As Chris Paul is entering his 19th season at age 38, it is a wonder how much he has left in the tank. Not only is his age a concern, but his injury history is also a major concern. But, in the right situation, Paul can find himself competing late in the postseason for his long-sought NBA title.
3 contenders that could use Chris Paul: 3. Miami Heat
As the Miami Heat currently find themselves competing for a championship, they are one of the few teams that could be the perfect fit for Chris Paul. One of the reasons is the culture that Pat Riley has created but, they also did something similar with guard Kyle Lowry.
After the 2021 NBA season, Kyle Lowry needed a change of scenery, as his age and injuries were catching up to him. He went to the Heat and settled in nicely as his role did not require as much out of him.
At this day and age, Chris Paul can not play like prime Chris Paul on a nightly basis nor should he be asked too. If Paul were to go to the Heat, they would find the perfect role for him as they have with players like Lowry, Caleb Martin, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Duncan Robinson.
The greatest attribute Paul would bring to the Heat is his playmaking ability. The Heat's leading assist guy in the regular season and postseason is Jimmy Butler. Taking on the responsibility of being the leading scorer and playmaker is a tiring task and in some games Butler hits a wall and no-shows. Adding Paul will take away some of the playmaking responsibility away from Butler and he could focus more energy on other aspects of the game.
The Heat could definitely win a championship with adding Chris Paul to their roster.
3 contenders that could use Chris Paul: 2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could be the perfect situation for Chris Paul for a multitude of reasons. The first reason is the friendship that Paul has with LeBron James as Paul is the godfather of Bronny James. But not only that his play style will fit in perfectly with this team.
Paul is still one of the best passers in basketball as last season he averaged 8.9 assists per game. As one of the biggest pick-n-roll masters in this league, him and Anthony Davis will run it to perfection. Along with that, it takes away some of the playmaking responsibility away from LeBron James. At this point in LeBron's career, he knows he needs to play off the ball more.
If the Lakers were to get Paul, that would get him at the mid-level exception where he doesn't take that much of a cap hit and the Lakers could still keep Austin Reaves. Reaves and Paul will also co-exist well together because Reaves can do a little bit of playmaking and plays well off the ball.
With Paul returning to LA he won't be asked to do much and every team that is looking to sign him should know that. The Lakers have the perfect balance of talent and depth where he will fit in seemingly and have a good impact on the team.
Obviously, the biggest concern with signing Paul is the injury history that he has, AD has, and now LeBron has in this part of his career. If everyone were to be healthy for most of the season and especially the postseason, the Lakers could make another run at the title getting LeBron his 5th and Paul his first.
3 contenders that could use Chris Paul: 1. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been on the brink of winning an NBA Championship for the last two seasons. In 2022 they were two wins away, and this season they were one win away from getting back to the Finals.
One of the biggest reasons why the Celtics have failed to get to the promised land is that their two stars, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, are turnover prone. The Celtics' leading assists player has been Marcus Smart and Smart is not a playmaker and the Celtics have lacked a playmaker for the last few seasons.
Chris Paul is the missing piece for this Celtics team. The Celtics have a decision to make in regard to Jaylen Brown because he is due for a five-year $295 million extension. The Celtics should keep Brown because he is not easily replaceable but you can still get Paul at the mid-level exception.
Adding Paul would do wonders for the play of both Brown and Tatum. Both players have lacked a great playmaker to get them in position to make the right plays. Paul would do that and having him will also help with the turnovers committed by Tatum and especially Jaylen Brown.
If the Celtics are able to keep most of their core and add Paul, the Celtics will enter the 2024 season as preseason favorites and will have a great chance of winning the NBA title.
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