New Chris Paul Landing Spot Floated by NBA Insider Amid Rumors on Star's Future

The Dallas Mavericks "make a lot of sense" as a landing spot for Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul to wind up, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne on ESPN Los Angeles' Mason & Ireland show.

"It will work out where he ends up some place, because I think he is a respected figure in the NBA and whoever decides to bring him in if he gets bought out or waived or something like that later, that would be seen as a good karmic gesture.

"My team, that I would say makes sense, and I've said this the whole time, I think the Dallas Mavericks make a lot of sense. He worked out with Cooper Flagg in the offseason. They're represented by the same agency. I think Cooper likes him.

"You know, Chris is an acquired taste, right? Like, either you like somebody who's, what do you call them, a redass? He's intense. Right? I think Cooper's intense, too, and they like each other. They get along. So, I could see that, but they don't have a roster spot right now. So there's just a lot of things that have to happen for people to have the roster spots and then the wherewithal and the decision to go do that. Plus, I think Jason Kidd could handle him."

L.A. sent Paul home during a road trip in December. In essence, the Clippers reportedly felt his leadership style didn't mesh with them, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Paul still remains part of the team. One can surmise the Clippers would prefer to deal Paul by Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline in hopes of getting anything in return. Failing that, though, it would simply make sense for the Clippers to part ways with Paul if there aren't any plans to bring him back into the mix.

Paul, who confirmed to Law Murray of The Athletic that the 2025-26 season will be his last, has played 21 NBA seasons, averaging 16.8 points, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He is a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA player and a member of the league's 75th Anniversary Team.

Paul was having some troubles with the Clips in the early going, averaging just 2.9 points on 32.1 percent shooting in 16 games (14.3 minutes per game). Of course, some time off and a change of scenery could do him well.

As far as Dallas goes, Paul would try to help the Mavs make a late-season push to the playoffs. It's looking bleak now, with the 19-30 Mavs on a four-game losing streak that's led them to 12th place. Dallas could enter the play-in tournament via the back door, though, with the 10th-place Portland Trail Blazers, at 23-27, not too far ahead.