Key Takeaways
- Chris Paul is heading back to the Los Angeles Clippers for what will likely be his final NBA season.
- CP3 joins a talented, experienced core consisting of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Bradley Beal.
- The Clippers need to be considered title threats out West, but their success will depend on health.
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Quinn Allen explains for RG why the LA Clippers need to be considered a title contender after adding Chris Paul to their talented, experienced roster.
The Los Angeles Clippers have had a busy offseason and continue to make it known they’re aiming for the mountaintop in 2025-26. The organization added a proven big man in free agency by signing Brook Lopez, pairing him with Ivica Zubac. Last week, the Clips also signed Bradley Beal after he reached a buyout with the Phoenix Suns. John Collins also agreed to a deal with the club.
Then on Monday, Los Angeles reunited with a familiar face — Chris Paul. The Point God, who spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs, heads back to the Clippers in pursuit of his first title. As Shams Charania reported, this will likely be his final season in the Association. After 20 years, CP3 is looking to end his Hall of Fame career on a high note.
LA has been the talk of the town over the last few weeks. At first glance, the roster is impressive: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Bradley Beal, Collins, and now Paul. Yes, the first thing that comes to mind is how old this core is. None of these players are in their prime anymore. However, the experience is hard to ignore.
When healthy, Kawhi is a superstar. Harden seems to have found a home at the Intuit Dome and has embraced his role. Although Beal struggled to be the same player he once was in Phoenix, we’re looking at a player who nearly won a scoring title in 2020-21. Maybe he’s not going to average 30 PPG, but a fresh start could bring out his best again. He could also benefit from the talent around him.
Then there’s Paul, one of the best playmakers in NBA history. CP3 averaged 7.4 assists last season alongside Victor Wembanyama, serving as a key piece for a young, promising Spurs squad. Paul will now get to play with Harden, Kawhi, and Beal — two of whom are also future Hall of Famers.
Western Conference Heavyweights
When we look at the Eastern Conference, it’s completely wide open. With the devastating injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, there’s no telling who will come out of the East next season. However, the Western Conference is much more competitive.
The OKC Thunder are coming off a title and are built to contend for many years with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams at the forefront. The Houston Rockets are going to be a scary team after pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. The Los Angeles Lakers can’t be counted out in a full season with LeBron James and Luka Doncic. They also added Deandre Ayton, who could be a solid replacement for Anthony Davis. The Denver Nuggets are always a threat with Nikola Jokic leading the charge. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been on the doorstep of the NBA Finals in back-to-back seasons. You can’t count out Anthony Edwards and company.
Needless to say, the Clippers have a lot of competition en route to a potential Finals appearance. But the talent is there. Adding Lopez and Collins in free agency were solid moves, giving them more depth on both ends of the floor. The supporting cast consists of Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, and Nicolas Batum. Bogdanovic is a knockdown shooter when he’s on.
Health Is The X-Factor
When we look at this Los Angeles core, there’s no question they have enough ability and experience to compete for a Larry O’Brien Trophy. But it will come down to one thing — health. Leonard has been a walking bandage over the last few years. Beal struggled with injuries during his tenure in the desert. Paul is no spring chicken and will also need to manage his workload.
The reality is the Clippers needed another proven ball handler behind Harden. CP3 is the perfect fit in that regard, and he also has chemistry with The Beard. Remember, he forced his way out of LA in 2017 to join Harden’s Rockets. While they’ve reportedly had friction in the past, it appears the two are putting their differences aside to chase a championship.
Los Angeles was surprisingly competitive last season, despite a first-round exit. But with a revamped roster, the sky is the limit — as long as their stars can stay on the court. It should be a very interesting campaign for the Clippers.
