Veteran guard Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA performer, has reached a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, his agents told ESPN.
Paul will join a talented – and older – Clippers team that is trying to make a run at a title with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden leading the way. Los Angeles also just reached a deal with veteran guard Bradley Beal.
Paul, 40, is entering his 21st season, and this will be his second stint with the Clippers (also 2011-17). He spent last season with San Antonio and averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while starting in all 82 games. Paul is No. 2 on the NBA’s all-time assist at 12,499 – behind John Stockton’s 15,806 assists.
This could be the future Basketball Hall of Famer’s final season, and the Clippers have positioned themselves to make a run. They were 50-32 last season and took Denver to seven games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Clippers have had an intriguing offseason and assembled an experienced roster that they believe can go deep in the playoffs.
They re-signed Harden, 35, and Nic Batum, 36, and added Beal, 32. They also signed Brook Lopez, 37, and still have Leonard, 34. They acquired John Collins via trade on a roster that also includes Ivica Zubac, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. They also have one of the top coaches in Ty Lue.