Could Chris Paul finally be coming to the Lakers? This time, for real?
Wednesday, multiple reports out of Phoenix said the Suns were looking at releasing Chris Paul, which would make him a free agent. The release could take a few different forms, including one where Paul could return to the Suns for less money than he’s scheduled to make next season.
But he could also end up on the free agent market, where he’d instantly be one of the more sought after names.
And of course, one that would instantly be assumed to be coming to the Lakers. After all, he was almost a Laker about a decade ago. He’s tight with LeBron. He’s ring chasing. And he lives in LA in the offseason. Put it all together, and it makes a lot of sense.
Plus, he’d be a nice fit with LeBron and Anthony Davis, particularly on a team where Austin Reaves would be around to help everyone with ball handling and scoring duties, and the Lakers could still potentially have the ability to keep one or both of D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schroder. Or would that be too much wishful thinking? What kind of impact could Paul make with the Lakers? How good would he have to be? How much better would he be than other free agents the Lakers could sign, particularly at the taxpayer midlevel or even the veteran’s minimum, the two contract levels Paul would likely sign at if he wanted to be a Laker?
Could the Lakers make it work if they had Paul, and protected his health with Russell and/or Schroder? If they can’t keep those guys around (for whatever reason) how does that change the calculus? Is it better to think of Paul as an “and” player (someone the Lakers add while still keeping everyone else who matters) or an “or” guy? (Meaning he’d replace someone.)
The downstream impacts of a CP3 signing are potentially significant.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: CP3 could be released by the Suns. Should the Lakers be interested if he is?
SEGMENT 2: What does CP3 potentially bring to the Lakers, at age 38?
SEGMENT 3: Under what circumstances would it make sense to sign him?
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Birddogs
Go to birddogs.com/lockedonnba and when you enter promo code, LOCKEDONNBA, they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.
eBay Motors
For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.
PrizePicks
First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON
FanDuel
Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOLakers?sid=YouTube
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
Subscribe to the Locked On Lakers Podcast
📲 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnLakers
📲 Follow the Kamenetzkys: https://twitter.com/KamBrothers
#Lakers #LosAngelesLakers #LebronJames #AnthonyDavis #NBA
46 Comments
its a gamble like having any other player theres a risk of injury
I would take him he is an excellent game manager we need that to close out games
The 2020 title team was fuelled by Rondo, the 3rd cog in the wheel and CP3 like Rondo is one of if not the greatest play maker and having one of the highest basketball IQ of this generation…..it makes sense to bring him on-board in a vacuum but what are the compromises on rest of the roster may dictate the pursuit?….so the cap cud read as follows :
LBJ+AD=87M
AR+Rui= 28M+/-
DLo=20M
CP3= 12M (MLE)
Dennis= 4.5M (BAE)
Vando+Max= 6.5M
17th pick= 3M (a 3 and D sniper with size)
2nd rd pick = 1.1M (an athletic rebounding defensive center/PF and a lob threat)
3 vet mins = 6M (rounding off the roster needs)
Total cap = 168M = just below the tax apron
If CP3 can come back cheaper… home to LA….it will be even better.
We cud resign Mo to a cheaper contract and use him + 17th pick for a legit role player that complements the roster.
To me rebounding and big man depth is one of the biggest needs of the roster.
Why go with FOV that invites the viewer into the host's home environment for a chat to generate that casuality, familiarity and welcomeness that make podcasts uniquely intimate, when you can look like a poor man's ESPN, by squeezing a talking head into a narrow letter box, overlaid by a graphic that looks like it was designed by a college student for a school project to learn Illustrator? 😉
Peace – CP3 = Vet min…anything more kick rocks – CP3 off the bench would pack a punch and limit his minutes…but has to be a vet min deal
If they can pick him up on a vet minimum contract he’d be a fantastic signing
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!
Y? All that show time theory stuff is what's making us lose. Hollywood ball is OVER… Going off of just names on the back of jerseys isn't going to cut it in today's game. You Need Healthy Ballers!!!
if you can sign him on midlevel then yes
It’s all depends on Paul’s role and contract. If he’s on a vet min or tax payer mid level and coning off the bench it’s a steal. Any more than that it’s a hard no. Paul should be our rondo from 2020.
I would not get rid of Dlo for a 38 yr old, injury prone CP. Only get him as a backup.
New Rondo for the vet minimum
We need a closer that's CP3 . We can keep Dlo and Schroder.
If CP3 is signed to the Lakers, I would like him as a player/coach on the team. I would like Chris to come off the bench with young shooters and players who can cut to the basket. Chris Paul, around 10 to 12 minutes, a game.
A healthy LeBron and AD with a floor general would be perfect.
CP3 as a player coach…
I don’t understand why anyone would want Chris Paul he literally stays hurt and is old as hell. When the playoffs come around he won’t be on the court and if he is he’s a HUGE defensive liability
As a backup PG and on a lower end deal, I guess? I just don't think he's personally ready for this scenario. He probably wants a more prominent role and the Lakers are better suited to find better options (Dennis coming back, FVV, etc.)
For min, why not. Could be a better option than Van Vleet or Irving.
Hey guys. Everydayer here since Anthony & Pete days. I'd rather keep Schroder over CP. Also, couldn't help but imagine if this pod were discussing the Lakers taking a 2-1 lead over Boston in the Finals. Man that would've been epic. Thanks for another great show guys!
Noooo! Hopefully they learned their lesson getting aged out stars
No to Chris Paul. Age declining along injury risk. At what price? Indeed he is a maestro at offense but can he be counted on to play 50+ games especially when we are having those same questions for LeBron and AD.
Would rather keep Dennis the Menace due to his defensive savvy and age/health availability.
please say NO
It is so obvious to everyone watching that Andy not in favor of Chris Paul coming to the Lakers every time Brian says something good about Chris Paul Andy shoot what Brian is saying about Chris Paul is really pathetic that Andy can give some kind of good words to say about Chris Paul I mean damn Andy
CP3 and DLO im fine with. Start DLO for 82 games and start CP3 in the playoffs. But you cannot bring back dennis. Gotta save Hamhock from himself with these terrible lineups.
NO I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD GO THAT OLE SCHOOL ROUTE AGAIN THE LAST TIME WAS A DISASTER… MAYBE FOR A MINIMUM VET CONTRACT..DLO OR DENNIS IS A MUCH BETTER FIT AND THE CONTINUITY IS WAY BETTER
I’d rather get a Naz Reid with the 12 mill MLE than CP3. The problem with CP3 is he’s washed but he still wants to be paid. Don’t give in Rob!
Lakers should offer CP3 the vet minimum 😳no offense 😏
Three years late… That would be dumb, unless he Signs as a veteran. The Lakers dont Need another geezer to slow the tempo in the 4th.. and giving away Dennis for CP3 would be totally Crazy .
Start dlo Reaves Rui lebron ad bench cp3 schroder Christie Vanderbilt tt, maybe trade 17 mamba for center
LAL won't have much to offer CP3. MLE is better spent on the front court. Either getting a C (load manage AD) or a strong wing defender. Schroder will be looking for a long term contract at a decent salary to make up for his lost money the past 2 seasons – we most likely lose him. If CP3 wants to play with LBJ on a vet min lets sign him up. AR15, DLo and CP3 running the offense works (LBJ really cut down on his time with the ball).
Lakers have needed a point guard for years. He will be low cost. Cris Paul will has give the Lakers more brain power.
Oh man CP3 is so old, I really wanted CP3 when Kobe was alive. But if Lakers can get him for vet minimum and coach our young guns on video day, CP3 is so smart. But CP3 was never a defensive player and if we had a choice between a younger Schroeder over an older CP3, its a hard choice one plays defense, the other is a offense play maker.
Didn't we learn our lesson with last year's AARP team?🤔
I’m tired of the undersized guards that get abused on defense that are on the roster every season. First Avery, then Dennis, and now we want CP3? I honestly hope we upgrade from both Dennis or CP3 to a backup that is actually playable in the playoffs.
david stern will come out of his grave and will stop this from happening😂
Why are we STILL talking about keeping DLo, considering just how bad he stunk up the joint in the playoffs…..(and that is taking into consideration his brief "decent" 3rd quarter play in rounds one and two). That wasn't just a fluke, he has ALWAYS played horribly in the playoffs. I don't understand. He becomes virtually unplayable the further you get into the playoffs.
Get Ja Morant, make a miracle! Get Ja,Ja, Ja!
We have max Christie, if he learns from cp3 he might be the best pg ever
HES OLD NOW! CANNOT COMPETE ON YOUNGER AND FASTER PLAYERS SPECIALLY ON DEFENSE.
We can get cp3 and keep the rest of our team do it
No. We don’t need another injury prone player
The original report was that he was being waived…. Such poor journalism…. The Suns are just discussing it. Then you guys jump all over it. Pathetic
Cp3 wouldn’t have play that many mins with us Austin Bron dlo can handle the ball he was only ball handler in phoenix he can take nights off
Bring him in and he come off bench his leadership will definitely make us better 😅AD will benefit more and the young guys we have.
I think CP3 offensively in the playoffs would be better than schroeder although schroeder probably better on D. Dennis also good tho for a few sloppy plays and I think CP3 might be able to get a little more out of AD. Dream scenario would be CP3 plays well enough that Dlo becomes expendable and we can trade him at the deadline.
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." _Jim Rohn
If you got CP3 for the mid level then you could bring DS back on the BI annual maybe… Russell would be out … use the Russell money to get a center … possibly 15 mill for Lopez or 8-10 for Naz … You have to have a center no doubt … With the assumption that AR gets 12 mill and Rui 14-16.. I don’t think D lo would stay or want to stay if CP3 was on this team for more than a Veterans Minimum…