Chris Paul is heading back to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Los Angeles Lakers let him go without a real fight. And honestly, that was the right move for the franchise.
For years, the idea of CP3 in a Lakers jersey felt inevitable. He is close friends with LeBron James, has history in Los Angeles, and once came a commissioner’s signature away from calling the Lakers arena “home”. That dream, if it ever made sense, definitely did not make sense now.
Letting Chris Paul walk was a strategic and unselfish move
This version of Paul, a man who just turned 40 years old and clearly in the final chapter of his career, does not match what the Lakers need heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. That is why it is a bullet dodged.
Chris Paul’s legacy is untouchable, but he’s not solving the Lakers’ problems
There is absolutely no denying Paul’s legacy. He is definitely one of the smartest point guards to ever play the game.
He still sees the court better than most, and his leadership is valuable in any locker room. But at this stage? He is not solving the Lakers’ real problems. He is not fixing their perimeter defense. He is not adding size in the frontcourt.
The Lakers needed to get younger, more athletic, and more adaptable around two primary playmakers in James and Luka Doncic. Both players already control tempo and initiate offense. Adding Paul to that mix would have just added redundancy.
Marcus Smart signing was a bold and more intelligent choice
Instead of chasing a feel-good headline, the Lakers did something they have not always done in recent years…they made a decision based on roster construction, not star power. They brought in Marcus Smart who fits the scheme and helps fix their defensive woes.
A Tantalizing what-if: LeBron and CP3 together at last
Would it have been cool, from a fan perspective, to finally see LeBron and CP3 suit up together? Yeah, for sure. It is a storyline over a decade in the making. However, cool moments do not win playoff series.
In a season where LeBron’s future with the franchise is uncertain, and the Lakers clearly showing signs of shifting their focus to building around their new superstar in Doncic, Rob Pelinka had to get this offseason right. Letting Paul walk was part of that. It was not personal, it was practical.