The NBA is better when you reunite with the friends you made along the way.
Years ago, Chris Paul was traded away from the L.A. Clippers as they blew up their "Lob City" era team. Meanwhile, when Damian Lillard tried to strongarm his way onto the Miami Heat, his beloved Portland Trail Blazers responded by jettisoning him to southeast Wisconsin, a.k.a. Milwaukee. It would've been easy to assume that neither future Hall of Famer would've ever returned to their old stomping grounds, where they became veritable legends.
Today, with both Paul and Lillard staring down the end of the barrel of their respective iconic careers, they've decided to run it back one last time.
The 40-year-old Paul is once again a Clipper. Lillard, whilst recovering from an Achilles tear, is once again a Trail Blazer (pun somewhat intended). No matter what happens next, we're virtually guaranteed to see more Clippers hoops with Paul and more Trail Blazers hoops with Lillard, and I think that's beautiful.
This got me thinking.
If everything is coming full circle for two of the most memorable NBA players of a generation, why can't we make this while summer about reunions? Why can't we let bygones be bygones? Why can't every legend and their former franchises swallow their pride and meet in the middle about joining back together? Shouldn't there be more to NBA life than just earning potential? Well ... at least on some level, right?
It's high time the greater NBA appeals to fan nostalgia like this because it's never done that bef ... oh, you get the idea.
With inspiration from Paul and Lillard entering nostalgic time machines, here are other NBA reunions I would like to see happen this summer (or otherwise):
- Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder: As it stands, the former MVP winner is the most important player in Thunder history. When Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City high and dry, Westbrook stayed. When the Thunder began to crest downward in the mid-2010s, Westbrook held firm and championed his team and his city. He deserves his flowers for that commitment. Don't tell me it wouldn't be really cool to see him play a key reserve role for the reigning champion.
- LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers: I've been quite clear on my stance about what James needs to do next in his NBA career. In short, retire ASAP. That's it. BUT, if he were to continue playing beyond this era of Lakers basketball (which seems destined to conclude next spring), one more Cleveland homecoming would be incredible. It helps that the Cavaliers have a stacked roster on paper, which would also add some juicy narrative intrigue to James' last ride as a pro hooper.
- Paul George and the Indiana Pacers: Yes, Paul is under contract with the Philadelphia 76ers until the summer of 2027, when he has a player option. And yes, he's hardly the picture of good health at the age of 35. But this list isn't about sensibility! George put the Pacers back on the map with their early 2010s team. After getting traded to the Thunder, he never quite got to revel in that accomplishment. It's high time that Indiana puts a proper bow on that era and brings him back.
- Nikola Vučević and the Orlando Magic: I recognize that Vučević is on a decidedly lower scale than these all-timers, but stay with me here. The Magic originally sent Vučević away because they wanted to start an earnest rebuild. That rebuild is now complete, with Franz Wagner leading the way for one of the East's more underrated teams. How awesome would it be to see a stretch-five big like Vučević tear it up for an Orlando team that now projects to be a power?
Make no mistake. The NBA is much healthier and more intriguing when franchise legends get to go out on their own terms, where it all started. That's why I hope the Paul and Lillard reunions, and these reunion suggestions, are just the tip of the iceberg.
The Charlotte Hornets finally have something to be proud about
Don't look now, but the Charlotte Hornets have won their *first championship in franchise history!
OK, it's a *Summer League championship, but that still counts for something. No, really. Before winning the 2025 Summer League, the Hornets had never even won a division title, and they've been around for nearly four decades. Quite frankly, that abject lack of success is staggering to consider, dearest readers.
When, up until now, you have arguably been the NBA's most forgettable organization, your young, developmental players finally taking a trophy home of any kind is a meaningful step forward.
HISTORY MADE ☑️
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 21, 2025
The @hornets are your 2025 #NBA2KSummerLeague Champions — for the first time ever 🏆💜
Buzz City showed OUT in Vegas 🐝. pic.twitter.com/2CMdRPjiKS
As tempting as it will be to write off the Hornets' win as meaningless (and believe me, I get it), I don't think it's that much of a mirage. For the first time in years, it feels like the Hornets are building with some measure of coherent tact. When you include Summer League Championship Game MVP/winning player Kon Knueppel into a nucleus that already features LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, it's hard not to get excited about Charlotte shifting its culture in a positive fashion.
Still, the Hornets are lacking overall talent.
Along those lines, I don't think there's a real NBA big on the current roster. That's where someone like top power forward draft prospect Cameron Boozer might come in down the line. And if he gets the chance to also say this other North Carolina sports team is "overlooked," he'll have a leg to stand on.
Shootaround
- Emma Meesseman joining the New York Liberty at midseason is a COUP. My pal Cory Woodroof explains
- Kudos to WNBA All-Stars for taking a stand on higher player salaries while business booms for the WNBA
- Jonas Valančiūnas has ended his odd standoff with the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokić finally has his backup
- What on Earth was Kelsey Plum going for by swiping at Caitlin Clark? Charles Curtis has some theories
This was Layup Lines, For the Win's basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What other NBA reunions could we see next? Chris Paul, Damian Lillard ignite conversation
Category: Basketball
