Arsenal
20-year NBA veteran and 12-time All-Star Chris Paul is signing a deal to play this upcoming season – which is predicted to be his final – with the Los Angeles Clippers, his brokers instructed ESPN’s Shams Charania. This can be Paul’s second stint with the Clippers, with the primary lasting six years from 2011 to 2017.
The 40-year-old future Corridor of Famer had a number of suitors, together with the Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks. Nevertheless, he selected to signal with the Clippers due to their potential to contend and the historical past he has with the staff. The deal may also permit Paul to be nearer to his household, who dwell in LA.
Twelve-time All-Star Chris Paul has agreed to a take care of the Los Angeles Clippers, CAA’s Steven Heumann, Ty Sullivan and Jessica Holtz instructed ESPN. Paul had a number of suitors, however selected the contending Clippers and their shared historical past in L.A. for his possible remaining, twenty first NBA season. pic.twitter.com/qC640MFFeI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025
That is the most recent free agent acquisition made by the Clippers during the last week. On July sixteenth, they agreed to a two-year, $11 million take care of former Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal.
This can be Chris Paul’s third staff since leaving Phoenix in 2023. Since then, he has suited up for the Golden State Warriors in addition to the San Antonio Spurs final season, the place he averaged 8.8 factors, 7.4 assists, and three.6 rebounds in 82 video games.
Is Los Angeles turning into the NBA’s retirement house? James Harden is popping 36 subsequent month. Kawhi Leonard simply turned 34. Then they added Beal (32), and now, Chris Paul (40). Arguably, the 4 most vital members of the Clippers have a median age of 35.5. That’s lower than best contemplating the Clippers have been the third-oldest staff within the NBA final season.
This deal provides LA backup level guard choice. However to me, this looks as if extra of a feel-good story and a approach to promote tickets. In any case, Chris Paul is arguably the most effective participant in Clippers historical past. Plus, his six-year tenure with the staff was probably the most profitable stretches within the franchise’s historical past.
This isn’t essentially a signing that pushes the Clippers excessive and makes them a championship-winning staff. I️ don’t assume any staff is a 40-year-old backup level guard away from profitable a chip. Granted, Chris Paul was the most effective passers within the NBA final season, however his help stats have been inflated by being the Spurs’ start line guard. He gained’t common over seven assists per recreation coming off the bench this coming season.
Clippers’ roster has MAJOR depth
G: James Harden, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris DunnF: Kawhi Leonard, John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr., Nic BatumC: Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez
They are going to end as a __ seed within the West? pic.twitter.com/Qx8YsnU6PX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 21, 2025
The Clippers are placing all their chips on the desk. Primarily based on the age of their star gamers, I️ assume Los Angeles realizes that that is the staff’s finest shot to win a championship with its present core of gamers. Their stars aren’t getting any youthful, in order that they’re exhausting all sources to construct essentially the most balanced roster they will. Sadly, LA’s depth chart is plagued by guys who’ve come up brief in large moments. James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul are three of essentially the most disappointing gamers within the league presently, notably when it comes to their playoff performances.
Equally to the Bradley Beal signing, this transfer doesn’t give the Clippers sufficient to recover from the hump within the Western Convention. Chris Paul will contribute lower than ten factors and possibly round 5 assists per recreation this season with the Clippers. That gained’t be sufficient to assist LA break by means of the pack and win the West.
