ook to win another championship with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Whether it’s a third star or elite-level role players, the Lakers have assets to get deals done. In more of a marginal move, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report listed three “sleeper contracts’ for the Lakers to pursue, including Chris Paul.
“Chris Paul isn’t technically a part of this free-agent class yet, but that could be a matter of semantics,” Buckley wrote on June 6. “The Warriors have between now and June 28 to decide whether they want to guarantee his $30 million salary for next season. With a pricey payroll and other needs to address, it’s tough to see Golden State committing that kind of coin to an aging backup.
“Should Paul reach the open market, the Lakers would likely be prominently placed on his preferred list of landing spots. His family resides in L.A., he shares a close bond with LeBron James and maybe he even feels a sense of unfinished business from the time he was traded to the Lakers only for the league to veto the deal.
Easiest of the Warriors Hard Decisions Seems to Be Waiving Chris Paul’
Similar to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors have tough decisions to make in the offseason.
Paul’s $30 million contract could be a trade asset in a bigger deal. However, it could also be a contract the Warriors waive.
Keith Smith of Spotrac wrote on June 3 that the Warriors’ “easiest” decision will be waiving Paul.
“The easiest of the Warriors hard decisions seems to be waiving Chris Paul,” Smith wrote. “Paul has a $30 million contract for next season. If Golden State was still competing for titles, the prudent strategy would be to guarantee Paul’s deal and to use that $30 million as salary-matching in a trade.
“Given that the Warriors are resetting, it’s best to waive Paul to begin cutting salary.”
That’s the scenario the Lakers would need to happen for them to sign Paul on a “sleeper contract” as Buckley wrote.
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