Chris Paul, Bucks Reportedly Had Conversation amid NBA Contract Rumors After Dame Exit

The Milwaukee Bucks need another impact player in the backcourt after they waived Damian Lillard, and a future Hall of Famer is reportedly on their radar.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on SportsCenter on Thursday that Chris Paul "had a conversation with Bucks officials on Wednesday" amid interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns as well.

"He is sorting through options, though, right now," Charania continued. "Whether it's on the West Coast, a team like Milwaukee. We'll see where his future could go."

NBA insider Marc Stein also reported the Bucks' interest in Chris Paul, adding the veteran turned down interest from the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets as well.

Last month, Paul appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and said playing close to his family on the West Coast would be one of his priorities as he evaluates his future.

"My son just turned 16," he said. "My daughter is 12. The past six seasons, I've lived without them. I go to San Antonio, Phoenix, Golden State—they were in Houston with me—Oklahoma City… I've been around a few teams, but I've been away from them the last six years. It's a little different. That's the conversation."

Paul added, "I want to hoop because I love to hoop. But, at the same time, I want to be dad."

There was a time when Paul's free agency would have been perhaps the biggest storyline in the NBA, as he is one of the best point guards in the league's history with a resume that includes 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Star Game nods, a Rookie of the Year, nine All-Defensive selections, six steals titles, five assist titles and a spot on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

However, he is 40 years old and no longer quite the same dominant playmaker he was at his peak.

Still, Paul appeared in all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season and would provide veteran leadership for whichever team signs him. The Bucks also give him a golden opportunity for immediate playing time for a presumed contender as he chases the championship ring that has eluded him.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner and others, the Bucks would likely ask Paul to be a pass-first point guard who looks to put his teammates in the best situations to succeed with pick-and-rolls, pick-and-pops and more. 

Working with Antetokounmpo in particular would be dangerous for opposing defenses, as the nine-time All-Star can exploit even the smallest amount of space when attacking the basket.

Paul could also help fill the void left by Lillard's departure—which would have been there anyway after the latter suffered an Achilles injury in the playoffs—for a team that should be a factor in an Eastern Conference with more question marks than answers among its top teams.

Whether that is enough to outweigh the West Coast factor remains to be seen, but Paul has at least been in contact with Milwaukee.