Chris Paul looks to be headed to the Los Angeles Clippers in a twist to the blockbuster trade that will eventually send Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns.
The Washington Wizards were prepared to acquire Paul as a part of the deal, where he would be an expiring contract for a team that badly needs to reboot their roster.
In an attempt to reroute Paul to a championship-contending team, the Clippers have separated themselves as a potential destination in a three-team deal for the future Hall of Fame point guard, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reports.
Paul played with the Clippers from 2011-2017, where he was named an NBA All-Star in five of his six seasons in Los Angeles, helping lead the organization to the Western Conference Semifinals on three occasions.
With the Wizards seemingly looking for expiring contracts as compensation, the Clippers have plenty of those to drop on Washington, according to Spotrac, in an attempt to accelerate their roster teardown.
Eric Gordon and Marcus Morris Sr. have an expiring contract after the upcoming 2023-2024 season of $20.9 million and $17.1 million, respectively.
Robert Covington and Nicholas Batum are also set to make a shade over $11 million before being free agents in 2024.
Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype reported that Paul’s involvement in the trade guarantees his full salary of $25 million, so the Clippers would theoretically need to match that dollar amount with any combination of players on their payroll.
The Clippers had been interested in resigning Russell Westbrook after a solid showing on the buyout market this past season.
But Paul’s availability seems to have enticed the Clippers to change paths with a genuine distributor controlling their offense.
Paul averaged 8.9 assists as a member of the Suns last season, adding 13.9 points and shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range in 59 games.