Injuries have clearly been the largest issue for the Los Angeles Clippers over the past couple seasons. However, the point guard situation comes in a distant second.
Los Angeles was forced to bring in Russell Westbrook on the buyout market last season. He ended up being the team’s second-leading scoring during the playoffs. While a Westbrook return to Southern California could be in the cards, Los Angeles is looking in another direction.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are in talks with the Washington Wizards to acquire future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul.
Paul, 38, was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in the Bradley Beal blockbuster over the weekend. It was almost immediately noted that he’d be rerouted to another team with the Clippers coming up as an ideal landing spot.
The 12-time All-Star did play with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2011-17. He led the organization to one of the best runs in its history despite failing to win a title.
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Fast forward several years, and a reunion could actually make sense. Paul is in the back end of his career. He won’t be asked to be the top dog as long as both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are healthy.
The question here is how a trade to Los Angeles might look. According to Windhorst, the Clippers and Wizards are looking to get a third team involved to take on some salary. Paul is set to earn $30.8 million in 2023-24. The Los Angeles Clippers are currently $46.64 million over the 2023-24 NBA salary cap. They’ll have to match contracts with the 120% rule coming into play here.