NBA speculations have often linked the Los Angeles Lakers to top centers, but the team will also try to bolster depth at other spots this offseason. LeBron James and a longtime pal could finally be teammates, according to one theory.
Following the NBA draft’s first round, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report compiled a list of the top destinations for experienced guards Chris Paul and D’Angelo Russell. The expert argues for James and Paul to ultimately work together in 2025.
“Are the circumstances favorable for Paul to eventually join the Purple and Gold?” Buckley reflected in an article titled “Chris Paul, D’Angelo Russell’s Top Free-Agent Landing Spots After 2025 NBA Draft” published on June 25, 2025. In any case, he seems to want to be close to his family in Los Angeles, which would enable him to play with his longtime buddy LeBron James. The Lakers’ backup point guard situation wasn’t terrific during the previous season, and if they have to utilize Gabe Vincent as a salary-matcher in an offseason trade, it might get worse.
“Would Paul be content with a backup role? Given how limited his options to start appear, the market may not offer another opportunity. If he’s good with being a reserve, then he should be good with being a Laker.”
Potential Lakers Target Chris Paul Has Earned More Than $400 Million During His NBA Career
Paul’s days as an All-Star are likely over, but the veteran would bring an impressive resume to Hollywood. The veteran’s accomplishments include being a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA team member, 9-time All-Defensive team nominee, 6-time steals champ and 5-time assist champ among a long list of impressive feats.
The Lakers would not need to sign Paul to a four-year, $120 million contract the guard had with the Phoenix Suns. Most recently, Paul signed a one-year, $10.4 million deal to team up with Victor Wembanyama on the San Antonio Spurs.
Paul has earned more than $400 million during his NBA career, and the Lakers are unlikely to find much of a bidding war to land the guard at this point in his career.
LeBron James Would ‘Absolutely’ Like to Play With Chris Paul
The biggest selling point for the Lakers or another NBA team signing Paul is the guard started all 82 games in 2024-25. Paul has battled injuries in recent seasons but was able to remain healthy in San Antonio.
The guard averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Spurs in 2024-25. During a July 2021 interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” James admitted he would “absolutely” love to play with Paul.
“That is my brother, and we’ve known each other since my junior year in high school, his sophomore year,” James said at the time. “We actually met for the first time when we were in eighth grade.
“We played in the same AAU national basketball tournament in Orlando, Florida, and then we officially met my junior year, his sophomore year, and we’ve been friends ever since.”
The Lakers have multiple positions to address this offseason but don’t be surprised if the Paul rumors heat up when NBA free agency begins on June 30.
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
