Chris Paul is staring down the final chapter of his legendary career. Now 39 and only weeks away from turning 40, the future Hall of Famer is set to hit free agency this summer as his $10.46 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs expires.
While he’s still capable of orchestrating an offense and providing valuable leadership as a role player (8.9 PPG, 7.9 APG in 2024-25), the window for him to win that elusive championship is closing fast. At this stage, Paul’s priorities should be clear—find the right contender where his passing, basketball IQ, and veteran experience can make an impact.
He may not be the floor general who once dominated in his prime, but on the right team, he could be the missing piece that helps push them over the top. With that in mind, we break down the five best destinations for Paul to chase his first and final ring before calling it a career.
New York Knicks
If the New York Knicks fall short of a championship this season, Chris Paul could be the perfect addition to push them over the top. Jalen Brunson is one of the best point guards in the league (26.3 PPG, 7.4 APG), but the Knicks lack a true backup floor general who can run the offense and maintain control when Brunson is off the floor.
Paul’s ability to create high-quality shots, manage tempo, and keep turnovers low would be a significant asset, especially in the postseason when every possession matters. His leadership and basketball IQ would also be invaluable to a team that has thrived under Tom Thibodeau. Paul’s presence would also complement the Knicks’ offensive structure, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns in the mix.
Towns thrives with playmakers who can get him easy looks, and Paul remains one of the best in the league at setting up big men for high-percentage shots. He may not be the scorer he once was, but his mid-range game is still deadly, and he can create easy opportunities for the Knicks’ wings and shooters, such as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Additionally, Paul fits the Knicks’ current mentality of stockpiling experienced, high-IQ players who elevate the team’s overall execution. If the Knicks are serious about making a championship push next year, adding Paul as a veteran leader who can provide critical playoff minutes behind Brunson makes a lot of sense.
Los Angeles Lakers
Chris Paul and LeBron James have been close friends for decades, yet they’ve never teamed up in the NBA. That could change in 2025 if Paul decides that one last ride with the Los Angeles Lakers is the best path to his first ring.
While Los Angeles already has multiple ball-handlers, Paul could provide an essential stabilizing force for a team that has been plagued by inconsistency in its half-court offense. His ability to control pace, orchestrate the offense, and create easy looks for James (25.0 PPG, 8.5 APG) and Luka Doncic (26.9 PPG, 7.9 APG) would give the Lakers another dimension when they aren’t handling playmaking duties.
A move to the Lakers would also allow Paul to step into a role where he doesn’t need to carry the load every night. The Lakers have emphasized keeping LeBron fresh for the playoffs, and Paul could serve a similar purpose—providing valuable minutes throughout the regular season while conserving energy for critical postseason moments.
He could slot into lineups with LeBron and Doncic, helping to keep the offense fluid and disciplined while also creating open shots for Los Angeles’ role players. Additionally, the Lakers have always valued veteran leadership, and few players command as much respect in the locker room as Paul.
While he may not be a 30-minute-per-night player anymore, Paul can still be an incredibly effective closer, knocking down clutch shots and keeping the Lakers’ offense organized in high-pressure moments. If Paul wants to finally team up with LeBron and chase one last ring in Hollywood, this could be his best shot.
Los Angeles Clippers
Paul’s first stint with the Los Angeles Clippers turned the franchise into a legitimate contender, but he never got the chance to finish the job. A return to Los Angeles would bring his career full circle, allowing him to go back to the team where he was once the face of the franchise.
The Clippers could still be searching for the right balance of playmaking and scoring with James Harden (22.3 PPG, 8.7 APG) running the point, and Paul could help manage those duties while ensuring Kawhi Leonard (18.6 PPG) and Norman Powell (23.8 PPG) get the best possible shots in their offensive sets.
One of the biggest reasons the Clippers should consider bringing Paul back is their need for a steady hand in the postseason. The team has dealt with injuries and inconsistency in past playoff runs, and Paul’s presence could be a major stabilizing force when the stakes are highest.
He wouldn’t need to carry the scoring load, but he could give the Clippers another high-IQ playmaker who knows how to control tempo and exploit mismatches. With Leonard and Harden thriving as off-ball scorers, Paul’s ability to set them up for easy buckets would be a major asset.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks already have an elite point guard, Damian Lillard (25.3 PPG, 7.1 APG), but adding Chris Paul would give them another trusted veteran to help manage the offense and provide additional leadership. Paul could serve as a backup to Lillard, ensuring that Milwaukee’s offense never skips a beat when Dame is off the floor.
More importantly, he could also share the court with Lillard, providing a dual-playmaker setup that would keep defenses guessing and take some pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.7 PPG, 5.9 APG). One of Milwaukee’s biggest issues in past playoff runs has been stagnant half-court offense, especially when defenses load up on Giannis.
Paul’s ability to manipulate defenses and create efficient scoring opportunities would be a major boost. His pick-and-roll game would be lethal alongside Giannis and Brook Lopez, and he could set up shooters like Kyle Kuzma for clean looks from beyond the arc as well.
From a leadership standpoint, Paul would fit right in with the Bucks’ veteran-heavy roster. Milwaukee is in win-now mode, and having another experienced, high-IQ player who has been through deep playoff battles would only help their chances. If Paul is willing to take on a secondary role for the sake of winning, Milwaukee might just be the best place for him to chase his elusive ring.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards’ rise to superstardom (27.2 PPG) has widened the Minnesota Timberwolves’ status as a contender but they need a few pieces. Arguably their biggest question mark remains at the point guard position. Mike Conley has been steady, but at 37 years old, he’s not getting any younger and his production has dipped steadily every season.
The Timberwolves drafted Rob Dillingham, who has a ton of potential but isn’t ready to lead a championship-caliber team yet. Enter Chris Paul—a veteran point guard who could come in, stabilize the offense, and provide the leadership needed to help this team reach the next level.
Paul’s ability to run the pick-and-roll with Rudy Gobert would be a game-changer for Minnesota. Gobert has never had an elite playmaker setting him up consistently, and Paul excels at getting big men easy buckets. Additionally, Paul’s presence would allow Edwards to play more off-ball, where he thrives as a scorer and slasher.
He’d also be a great fit alongside Julius Randle, who needs a point guard who can get him the ball in his spots. With Paul managing the offense, Minnesota’s young stars would be able to focus on what they do best. The Timberwolves have the talent, but they lack the deep playoff experience that a veteran like Paul brings and that would be a great pickup for them.
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