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With dust yet to settle on his loss in the NBA Finals to the Phoenix Suns, a report has surfaced that Chris Paul may be heading elsewhere.
According to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in snatching Paul away from their Western Conference rivals this offseason. They also plan to pursue former league MVP and Washington Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook.
By lance:
According to sources, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for a veteran point guard, and Paul is on the list. Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook has also been discussed as a potential candidate to return home to Los Angeles under a signing and swap deal that could include free playmaker Dennis Schroder. , forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Talen Horton-Tucker, sources said.
The Lakers’ backcourt was exposed last season
That the Lakers are looking for an upgrade at some point shouldn’t come as a surprise. They’ve just suffered a first-round playoff loss at the hands of Paul’s Suns. It should be noted that they were dealing with an injured Anthony Davis (groin) and a diminished James (ankle) in that loss. But injuries sustained by the pair of Lakers superstars have highlighted the star’s lack of power elsewhere on the list.
Starting playmaker Dennis Schroder was a popular scapegoat for the Lakers’ struggles in 2020-21, with Magic Johnson declaring after the season “I don’t think he’s a Laker”. The five-time NBA champion with the Lakers and former president of basketball operations was quick to catch Paul’s train on Tuesday as his Suns were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks for the NBA championship.
The interest reported in the Lakers’ Paul and famous buddy James is almost tangible. It wouldn’t be the first time the glamorous NBA franchise has coveted the future Hall of Famer. Don’t count on Commissioner Adam Silver to cancel any potential deal this time around.
Would Paul accept a pay cut, facilitate a deal with the Lakers?
This dream scenario for James and the Lakers would apparently depend almost entirely on Paul. The 36-year-old All-Star, 11 times, has a player option with the Suns next season worth more than $ 44 million. It is a large number. He could get more money guaranteed by opting out and signing a long-term deal of over $ 100 million. Would he give the Suns another chance, where all reports point to a harmonious relationship with fellow stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton and head coach Monty Williams?
Or would he rather take his final shots in an NBA championship with a core that has already won one alongside his old friend James? If he continues down this path, it will likely be accompanied by a drastic pay cut. According to Spears, the best offer the Lakers could make to Paul as a free agent is a $ 9.5 million mid-level exception for taxpayers – much less than $ 44 million and an additional problem for Paul in the his role as president of the NBPA.
Would the Suns cooperate?
Spears reports that Paul’s most likely route from Phoenix to Los Angeles would involve a signing and a trade that would see the Lakers pay him more. It would involve the cooperation of a Suns team with a young nucleus that has just achieved two wins before an NBA title.
The Lakers (+450) and Suns (+1400) have both opened among BetMGM betting favorites to win next season’s NBA Championship. Would the Suns help the Lakers level up to avoid seeing Paul walk in free agency with nothing in return? Would Paul play hard to force the Suns’ hand?
It all adds up to some compelling storylines and one of the offseason’s most watched storylines. And that’s before we get into the potential Westbrook Lakers lawsuit.
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