This offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers could explore for an upgrade at point guard. D’Angelo Russell has a player option for the 2024-25 season for $18.6 million. If Russell declines the option, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
However, if Russell chooses the option, it is not guaranteed that he would remain on the team because the Lakers could use his salary in a trade to improve the roster. Nonetheless, the Lakers must be prepared to make one or two upgrades at point guard in the coming weeks.
If Los Angeles decides to fill the slot through free agency, there is an experienced point guard with ties to LeBron and JJ Redick.
According to an NBA scribe, the Lakers are reportedly interested in Chris Paul. According to Marc Stein on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are anticipated to exhibit interest in veteran point guard Chris Paul. Stein adds that Paul’s ambition to play in Los Angeles, where his family lives, is widely known. Despite Paul’s familiarity with LeBron James, Stein cautions that there isn’t unanimous enthusiasm in bringing him to the Lakers.
The Lakers and Clippers are anticipated to exhibit interest in Chris Paul, according to @TheSteinLine.
“I keep hearing that Paul, if he ever becomes available in free agency, would be of interest to both the Clippers and the Lakers. Paul’s desire to play near to his Los Angeles-based…
The Lakers and Clippers are expected to show interest in Chris Paul, per @TheSteinLine
“I keep hearing that Paul, if he actually makes to free agency at some point, would draw interest from the Clippers as well as the Lakers. Paul's desire to play as close to his L.A.-based… pic.twitter.com/UsuSduqNHa
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 23, 2024
— NBA Central (@TheDunkCentral). June 23, 2024
It’s hardly surprising that not everyone in the Lakers organisation is against a potential Paul signing. The 39-year-old point guard was a shell of himself in Golden State, where he mostly played off the bench.
Paul averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 26.4 minutes of play. The veteran point guard also shot 44.1 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from long, which was disappointing given his limited role with the Warriors.
That being said, Paul is set to earn $30 million next season, which is a difficult pill for any team to swallow, especially given his age and production. If Paul is not taken out of his contract year in a trade this offseason, it is difficult to imagine the Lakers selling Russell in a multi-team deal for an ageing point guard.
To compete in this new era of the Western Conference, the Lakers must get younger at all positions, especially point guard.
