Chris Paul’s unexpected release from the Clippers has created one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new year. The veteran guard is suddenly on the market after a stunning overnight move, and teams across the league are already weighing whether he can still help a playoff contender. According to Bobby Marks, one team in particular stands out as a natural fit: the Lakers.
At 15-5 and second in the West, the Lakers do not need major reinforcements, but adding a proven veteran like Paul could help strengthen their chemistry even more. It would also provide a chance to bring some closure to the infamous 2011 situation when Paul’s trade to the Lakers was vetoed.
Conveniently, the Purple and Gold currently have an open roster spot and could become a legitimate option for Paul once the calendar flips to January. While league rules prevent them from signing a fifteenth player until January nineteenth, Paul remains on the radar as Los Angeles evaluates ways to improve its depth. His experience, playmaking, and leadership check every box the Lakers have been trying to fill.
At 40 years old, he is not going to have the same impact he once did, but he still commands respect as a future Hall of Famer and takes on the responsibility of holding teammates accountable. Alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic, he could help optimize the offense while setting an example of professionalism in the locker room.
More roster spots around the league are expected to open after January 7th, when teams must decide on players with partially guaranteed contracts. As that window approaches, Paul’s market will become clearer, but the Lakers’ pathway makes them a team worth watching. With their history of taking calculated swings on veteran talent, Paul’s availability arrives at exactly the right time.
Fresh off a seven-game win streak that ended on Monday, the Lakers have shown they can play at a consistently high level. Now it is just a matter of sustaining that level throughout the season.
At this stage of his career, Paul cannot solve all of the Lakers’ problems, but he can ensure championship standards are upheld by holding everyone accountable. In the process, he may even get the chance to go out the way he always wanted: as a champion.
With a few more win-now moves, this Lakers team can challenge any squad in the league, and they are on a mission to reclaim their place at the top of the hierarchy. For Paul, it is the perfect opportunity to go out on his own terms and rewrite the narrative about his impact in the locker room.
Paul may never be the player he once was, but his experience and leadership still carry real value for a team with championship goals. The Lakers know how much the right veteran can elevate a locker room, and his presence would only reinforce the standards they are trying to maintain. As Los Angeles looks to build on its early success, adding someone with Paul’s pedigree could help push this group even closer to where it wants to be.
