Chris Paul Linked to Lakers Role by NBA Insider After Bob Iger Buys Team at Record Valuation

Bob Iger's historic purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday could lead to a role for NBA legend Chris Paul, who retired during the 2025-26 season.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne noted that Paul is a longtime friend of Iger's and a "mentor" to the former point guard.

"There's a couple names you should pay attention to: Chris Paul, very close friend of Bob Iger's. He's sort of a mentor to Chris Paul," Shelburne said on NBA Today. "Chris recently retired. He's available, incredible basketball mind. I don't know what that means for him, but I expect they'll be talking."

Iger, the former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, was a longtime Los Angeles Clippers season-ticket holder, so he got to know Paul very well during that time.

Last year, Paul became a minority investor in the NWSL's Angel City FC, and he's been open about breaking into the business world now that he's no longer playing.

"I came into the NBA when I was 19," Paul told Forbes last year. "When you come into the NBA, you've been in the backyard acting like MJ (Michael Jordan), acting like Kobe, shooting fadeaways, not thinking about business—it's time for me to make sure that I focus on my brand, my team, and how we can grow."

There is perhaps a world in which Paul eventually tries to break into owning an NBA team, but the most logical pathway for now would be joining the Lakers' front office.

During his playing days, Paul had one of the best basketball IQs in the NBA, and while we haven't yet seen what he looks like in a coaching or front office role, it's hard to imagine he wouldn't thrive in such a position.

It would also give Paul the chance to join the Lakers 15 years after he thought he was going to play in Purple and Gold. Paul was set to be traded to Los Angeles in 2011, but the NBA nixed the deal between the Lakers and New Orleans.

Should he join the Lakers front office in some capacity, he would also have the chance to work with J.J. Redick, his long-time Clippers teammate.

Whether Iger will make a call to Paul remains to be seen, but on paper, he seems like a perfect fit for the team.