Lakers rumors: Interest in Chris Paul contingent on one thing

As reported by Andrew Greif, Broderick Turner, and Dan Woike in the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers are not interested in trading for Chris Paul. However, they would bring him in on a veteran minimum contract.

They could make a move if Paul ends up getting buyout or trading to another team who only values him for his expiring contract.

The Lakers are more focused on bringing back Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura this offseason. Both of these players will get more money than the team can offer (due to CBA rules) but they can match any contract that teams give out the players.

If any team in L.A. ends up trading for Paul, it would most likely be the Clippers rather than the Lakers. The Clippers are in a way worse situation than their neighbors as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are free agents after this season (player option pending) and the clock is running out of the Clippers title window.

How much of an impact would Chris Paul make on the Lakers?

The Lakers might not have Paul be a full-time starter due to the fact that he is getting older. Starting D’Angelo Russell does have its advantages in the regular season.

In the playoffs, Paul could start but spilt minutes between Russell and possibly another guard. This is why the Lakers are set on only acquiring the player on the vet minimum.

Paul could end up in a role just like Bob McAdoo did in the early-to-mid 80s for the Showtime Lakers. McAdoo was an All-Star level player before he started to wash out of the league in Detroit and New Jersey. He ended up reviving his career in Los Angeles for a couple more years due to the fact that he was able to be a solid role player who turned back the clock occasionally for the team.