Veteran point guard Chris Paul has reportedly finalized an agreement to rejoin the LA Clippers for what is expected to be his 21st and concluding season in the NBA. This news was confirmed by his agents, Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan, and Jessica Holtz of CAA, to ESPN.
At 40 years old, Paul had several teams vying for his services, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks. However, the 12-time All-Star ultimately chose the competitive Clippers, a franchise with whom he shares significant history in Los Angeles. Paul had previously stated in June on `The Pat McAfee Show` that his decision to play a 21st season was largely driven by his desire to be close to his family, who reside in the Los Angeles area.
This marks a significant homecoming for Paul, who previously played for the Clippers for six seasons, from 2011-12 to 2016-17. During this tenure, he earned five All-Star selections and was named to five All-NBA teams, a record for the franchise. He also holds the Clippers` all-time record for assists, with 4,023 during his time there.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers` president of basketball operations, expressed the team`s sentiment in a statement on Monday: “Chris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform, and it`s fitting that he returns to the team for this stage of his career.”
Paul`s acquisition is part of the Clippers` strategic off-season moves, which also saw them add Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez. The team had been actively seeking a veteran reserve point guard, considering options like Malcolm Brogdon before ultimately securing Paul. The Clippers are also working to maintain salary cap flexibility for future star acquisitions.
Frank further elaborated on Paul`s role, stating to reporters, “He`s joining us as a reserve point guard and is eager to embrace whatever role Coach Tyronn Lue assigns him. He genuinely wants to be a part of this group, and we are fortunate to have him back.”
Last season, Paul played all 82 games with the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first player in NBA history to complete an 82-game season in his 20th year or beyond.
The Clippers aim to manage the workload of key players like James Harden, who, at 35, played nearly 2,800 minutes in his 16th NBA season. Paul is seen as a valuable asset to mitigate the impact of injuries that typically affect a roster over an 82-game season and throughout the playoffs.
“Understanding one`s role, especially in this specific roster position, will be crucial,” Frank emphasized.
Paul, originally drafted fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and named NBA Rookie of the Year, boasts career totals of 12,499 assists and 2,717 steals, ranking second all-time in both categories.
