Turn the calendar back to 2024 and the idea of the Los Angeles Lakers signing Chris Paul would've sent many fans into a tailspin. Paul is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, but the combination of opportunity cost and concerns over his limitations made him an imperfect fit.
A year hasn't changed everything, but as the Lakers look for ways to maximize the Luka Doncic era, Paul is suddenly an ideal low-cost target.
Paul, 40, is far from the 11-time All-NBA and nine-time All-Defense honoree that he was in his prime. He's still one of the most skilled and intelligent players in the Association, however, and makes sense for the specific nature of what the Lakers need.
Center is clearly the top priority, and in no world should Paul take precedence over that, but he could be the bridge Los Angeles needs between the starters and a putrid second unit.
Los Angeles' bench finished 2024-25 ranked No. 28 in offensive rating, No. 29 in points, and dead last in assists. Despite having a sharpshooting rookie capable of explosive performances in Dalton Knecht, and a cast of proven veterans who could manage respectable scoring outputs, the Lakers' second unit bordered on irrelevant on offense.
As the Lakers search for ways to alleviate pressure from their starting lineup, signing Paul to a minimum salary would be a wise course of action.
Chris Paul could save Lakers' dreadful second unit—at the right price
Paul finished the 2024-25 season averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .427/.377/.924 shooting. He appeared in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 28.0 minutes per contest along the way.
Paul continued to rank among the NBA's elite as a facilitator, finishing at No. 7 in assists and points created via assists, and No. 8 in potential assists.
As a scorer, Paul shot 38.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and 37.0 percent on pull-up jumpers from distance. He also buried 50.0 percent of his attempts from 15-to-19 feet, continuing to solidify his place as one of the greatest midrange shooters of all time.
Beyond the individual numbers, the Spurs were 5.0 points per 100 possessions better with Paul on the court than without him.
With the Lakers, Paul's ability to create for others could be the key to rounding the second unit into form. Luka Doncic, close friend LeBron James, and Austin Reaves can all help the reserves as high-level playmakers, but Paul would be receiving guaranteed reps with the bench and thus develop more natural chemistry via his more defined role alone.
In that role, the five-time assists leader could help floor-spacers such as Dorian Finney-Smith, Knecht, and Gabe Vincent tap into more of their offensive potential than they were able to in 2024-25.
Furthermore, Paul has proven in the past that he's willing and able to play alongside star-caliber shot creators and simplify the game for them. He helped Devin Booker lead the Phoenix Suns to the 2021 NBA Finals, James Harden and the Houston Rockets reach the 2018 Western Conference Finals, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a mentor role.
In Los Angeles, Paul could anchor the second unit and channel his experience with past superstar teammates to help Doncic pace an elite Lakers offense in 2024-25.
