Chris Paul Returning to LA Clippers for 21st and Likely Final NBA Season

Chris Paul Returning to LA Clippers for 21st and Likely Final NBA Season

Chris Paul is making a comeback with the LA Clippers for what is anticipated to be his 21st and possibly final season in the NBA. The team confirmed on Monday afternoon that Paul has officially signed. He successfully led the Clippers to the playoffs during his six seasons in Los Angeles.

“Chris is one of the most impactful players ever to wear a Clippers uniform, and it’s fitting that he returns to the team for this chapter of his career,” said Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations, in a statement. ph dream online casino

A 12-time All-Star, Paul entered free agency after an impressive season where he played all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first NBA player to achieve this in his 20th season or later ug777 manila. He averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists while shooting 43% from the field.

Paul had expressed a desire to play the upcoming season closer to his family, who reside in Los Angeles. He joins a seasoned roster that features recent additions like guard Bradley Beal, forward John Collins, and center Brook Lopez, along with stars Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Bogdan Bogdanović. “Chris will help strengthen our backcourt with his exceptional ball handling, playmaking, and shooting,” Frank stated on Monday.

During his six seasons with the Clippers, Paul was a key player in the team’s “Lob City” era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. He made five All-Star appearances from 2012 to 2017, and his 4,023 assists still stand as the most in the franchise’s history. Overall, he averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 4 777jlbet Sports.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals across 409 games.

In 2017, Paul departed the Clippers to join the Houston Rockets, feeling it was time for a change and aiming to compete for a championship alongside Harden. He played two seasons in Houston, followed by one season each in Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Golden State before signing with the Spurs last season, where the team finished 13th in the Western Conference with a 34-48 record.

The Clippers finished fifth overall with a record of 50-32 but were eliminated by Denver in a tightly contested first-round matchup that went to seven games. spin ph 99 Frank mentioned on Saturday that the team was “strongly considering” bringing Paul on board to contribute to a crowded guard rotation that includes Harden, Beal, Bogdanovic, and Kris Dunn.

Paul is expected to come off the bench. “He is joining us as a reserve point guard and is excited to take on whatever role coach Tyronn Lue needs him to fill,” Frank said. “He wants to be part of the group, and we’re fortunate to have him back.”

The Clippers aim to manage Harden’s workload, as he logged nearly 2,800 minutes last season at age 35 during his 16th NBA season. They see Paul as a valuable insurance option against potential injuries, which often occur during an 82-game season, including the playoffs. “Role awareness, especially for this next roster spot, will be critical,” Frank added spin ph 7.

What are your thoughts on Chris Paul’s return to the Clippers?