Chris Paul has emerged as a potential player for the Los Angeles Clippers to sign after they traded away Norman Powell on Monday.
Chris Paul Could Reunite With Clippers After Trade Sends Norman Powell to Miami originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After a booming trade sent long-time Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat on Monday morning, LA could look towards signing free agent Chris Paul to a one-year deal for the upcoming season.
Chris Paul has made it known that the 2025-26 season will be his last as a player in the NBA, and the Clippers could be making the necessary moves to bring in the 40-year-old point guard.
In the three-team trade that took place on Monday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers received John Collins, the Miami Heat received Norman Powell, and the Utah Jazz received Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and the Clippers' 2027 second-round pick.
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, "The Los Angeles Clippers were reluctant to give Norman Powell a long-term extension as he enters the final year of his deal ($20.48 million) with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden signed through the 2026-27 season. The Clippers are prioritizing significant cap space in 2027."
Sources: The Los Angeles Clippers were reluctant to give Norman Powell a long-term extension as he enters the final year of his deal ($20.48 million) with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden signed through the 2026-27 season. The Clippers are prioritizing significant cap space in 2027
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 7, 2025
With this move, the Clippers were able to get a younger, John Collins who carries an expiring contract that owes him $26.58 million next season.
Now, with the Clippers having just $5.3 million of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception money to use before exceeding the first luxury tax apron, a player like Chris Paul could be a potential target for Los Angeles.
He would join the Clippers for a second stint, after playing for them from 2011 to 2017, and would bring more point guard depth with veteran experience.
Last season, Chris Paul played all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 42.7% from the field and 37.7% from behind the three-point line.
Although there's no certainty on what the Clippers plans are, Chris Paul could be a free agent that would come in on a one-year deal and keep Los Angeles with having a large amount of cap space for 2027.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
