The possibility of an amnesty clause opens intriguing scenarios for Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the return of Los Angeles Lakers basketball and the 2019-20 season looks increasingly likely, things still need to be addressed and eventually sorted out about the financial loss the coronavirus pandemic has been causing to the NBA.
A restructuring of the current CBA is on the horizon and negotiations between the NBPA and the owner will need to take place in order to define how to readjust the economics in accordance with the situation.
Among the owner’s possible propositions, there have been rumors of an amnesty clause. An option that usually allows teams, once per CBA, to cut a player and not have his contract counting against the salary cap.
Obviously, this is an interesting tool that benefits more the owners than the players, allowing the earlier to free the cap space from massive undesired contracts, although still keeping paying the latter.
But sometimes it is a blessing for players too. Those who find themselves stuck in uncomfortable situations but do not want to renounce to their money. If agreed by both parties, the player can be waived by the team to reach a more desirable situation while maintaining his lucrative salary.
How this could lead to Chris Paul on the Los Angeles Lakers:
Enter the Oklahoma City Thunder, which, despite the unexpected season they are having, would gladly get rid of Chris Paul’s untradeable contract, that sees him still owed $41 million next season and $44 million the following one.
This year they have the third-highest payroll in the league, with no real chances at the championship.
Through the amnesty clause, OKC could free up massive cap space to carry on his rebuilding and free more playing time for his young players.
On his part, Chris Paul, with his money guaranteed, his career earnings maximized, and a Hall of Fame career behind his back, could focus on finding a suitable situation that provides him the best shot at the championship.
What better opportunity to join his long-time friend LeBron James in Los Angeles and make a run as part of the historic franchise? The Lakers’ most pressing need is a point guard to back up LeBron James, someone who can score and set the team.
He is very familiar with the city of Los Angeles as he spent six seasons playing for the Clippers, and he would finally fulfill his destiny to play for the Lakers after the trade that should have brought him in in 2011 was vetoed by David Stern.
RELATED: Three things the vetoed Chris Paul trade robbed the NBA of
Despite him being 34 years old, Paul has proved that he still has some great basketball left in the tank. He has been averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 assists playing all 63 games and received an All-Star selection. Per 36 minutes, his numbers are on par with his best years.
With him coming off the bench when LeBron gets some rest, the Lakers would be a fearful force due to his ability to take over games. Pick and rolls with Anthony Davis and the many shooters on the team (who hopefully will improve their performances) would be a great ingredient to the formula.
The backup point guard spot in Los Angeles is currently held by Rajon Rondo, who signed to a two-year deal with a player option on the second one. He is failing to perform and have an impact as expected, and the coming of Paul might cause some problem amidst available playing time and their rivalry. Believing improbable a pacific coexistence, Rondo should probably opt-out and find better fortune on another team.
The only obstacle to Paul’s signing at this point would be other interested teams. Once waived, in fact, he will have to wait three days to clear waivers and sign as a free agent. In the meantime, teams can submit a contract offer that would bind him to the highest bidder.
In their crazy hunger for point guards, the New York Knicks had already scouted Chris Paul as a possible target, and having him at hand in the waivers might be too tempting. If CP3 makes clear that he is not willing to play for anybody else than the Lakers and threaten to sit the whole season, as more and more happens in these days, he should be saved from undesired destinations.
There is still the chance, though, that, as NBPA President, he would refuse to make such allegations. Yet, his intentions should be clear to the league enough to discourage other suitors.
Chris Paul would represent an incredible upgrade for the Lakers, so good that it might remain just a dream. There is no guarantee the amnesty clause will be discussed and approved in the CBA’s restructuring.
Anyway, we will have to wait for the offseason to see if such a scenario materializes. In the meantime the Los Angeles Lakers will have a season to play out and a great chance at the championship regardless of him.