Chris Paul will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
The Phoenix Suns are expected to waive, stretch or trade Paul this offseason. If the future Hall of Famer hits the open market, he’s anticipated to join the Lakers to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
James and Paul are very close friends. In fact, Paul is Bronny James’ Godfather.
CP3’s wife and kids live in Los Angeles. He’s been away from them ever since his days with the Los Angeles Clippers ended. While the Clippers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will be interested in Paul should he become a free agent, the Wake Forest product has the Lakers atop his wishlist, league sources said.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
An NBA general manager told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that it’s Paul’s “dream” to play for the Lakers and with James. Paul almost became a Laker in 2011 to play with Kobe Bryant before former commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade between the Lakers and New Orleans Hornets.
“Lakers first,” one Eastern Conference GM texted Deveney. “It’s not definite, a lot can happen. But you’d have to start there. He always had (the) dream of being a Laker (and) playing with LBJ (James).”
Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. The 12-time All-Star has surprisingly never won a championship despite playing on several talented teams. The Suns were picked by many pundits to win the title this season after the club acquired two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
However, Phoenix lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. Paul got hurt in Game 2 and missed the rest of the series.
The Lakers got swept by the Nuggets in the conference finals. Their starting point guard, D’Angelo Russell, played very poorly and there has already been talk in league circles about Los Angeles and Phoenix doing a sign-and-trade deal involving Russell and Paul.
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