This summer, the Golden State Warriors will officially announce that they will not exercise their $30 million team option on Chris Paul. Despite his age, Paul still has a place on an NBA roster, but not at that high of a price. With the team declining the option, Paul will become a free agent.
The speculation on where Paul might end up has been intense in the days leading up to June 28th. Marc Stein reported in his newsletter that two potential suitors for Paul if he hits free agency are the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers are seen as a compelling option due to Paul’s close friendship with LeBron James and his desire to remain close to his family in L.A. The Lakers could also use more depth and Paul has shown he can be effective leading a second unit off the bench.
On the other hand, the Spurs are looking for point guards to pair with Victor Wembanyama. While they prioritize younger starters like Dejounte Murray or Darius Garland, adding a seasoned veteran like Paul with high basketball IQ could also benefit the team. Steve Kerr expressed his admiration for coaching Paul in Golden State and hopes he can return, showing that there are options available for the veteran point guard. Ultimately, it is up to Paul to weigh his options and choose what is best for him and his career.
