Chris Paul’s second stint with the Los Angeles Clippers was supposed to be a homecoming - a chance to reconnect with the franchise where he helped build one of the most electrifying teams of the last decade. Instead, it turned into a short-lived reunion that ended in a messy split.
After signing a one-year deal to return to LA this offseason, Paul’s time with the Clippers unraveled quickly. Reports of clashes with teammates and head coach Tyronn Lue surfaced midway through the season, and the team eventually announced Paul would be stepping away. Since then, the veteran point guard hasn’t played a minute of NBA basketball.
But even with that drama still fresh, it seems interest in Paul hasn’t completely dried up. According to insider Ramona Shelburne, one team that could be a logical landing spot is the Dallas Mavericks.
The fit? It’s not just on paper.
Paul and Mavs rookie sensation Cooper Flagg reportedly worked out together this past offseason, and both are represented by the same agency. There’s mutual respect there - and that could matter.
“I think the Dallas Mavericks make a lot of sense,” Shelburne said during a recent appearance on ESPN LA radio. “He worked out with Cooper Flagg in the off-season, they’re represented by the same agency, I think Cooper likes him.”
For Dallas, the potential appeal is obvious. Paul brings a wealth of experience, playoff savvy, and leadership to a team trying to push deeper into the postseason.
Even at this stage in his career, he’s still capable of orchestrating an offense, controlling tempo, and making smart, winning plays - all things that complement Luka Dončić’s ball-dominant style. A second-unit role or even a situational closer could be in the cards if the Mavericks decide to pursue him.
But there’s a catch. The Clippers haven’t been able to find a trade partner for Paul, and until they do - or decide to waive him outright - he’s stuck in limbo.
With the trade deadline looming, that could change quickly. If no deal materializes, it’s likely LA will cut ties and let Paul hit the open market.
Paul’s journey through the league has been nothing short of a tour de force. From his early days in New Orleans to the “Lob City” era in LA, and later stops in Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Golden State, he’s been a transformative presence wherever he’s gone. His first run with the Clippers turned them from a perennial punchline into a must-watch team, with Paul running the show and turning the pick-and-roll into an art form.
That history made his return to LA feel like a full-circle moment. But sometimes, the second act doesn’t play out like the first. The chemistry wasn’t there, the friction was real, and now both sides are ready to move on.
Whether Paul ends up in Dallas or elsewhere, the next chapter is still unwritten. But make no mistake - if he finds the right fit, there’s still gas in the tank. And for a contender looking for a steady hand and a battle-tested leader, Chris Paul could be exactly what they need.