Chris Paul’s next move will have everything to do with family.
The 40-year-old point guard is a free agent after spending last season with the Spurs, and said his decision as to where he’ll play next — or if he’ll play at all — will hinge on his proximity to his wife and kids.
“It’s with my family more than anything,” Paul said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday. “I talk to my family about it. My son just turned 16, my daughter is 12. The past six seasons, I’ve lived without them. I’ve been away from them for the last six years, so it’s a little different.”
Paul’s family lives in Los Angeles, but the 12-time All-Star has not played there since he was traded from the Clippers to the Rockets in 2017.
Paul said his family was with him in Houston, but not for the stints that followed with the Thunder, Suns, Warriors and, most recently, San Antonio.
“I don’t think I want to play for a while. I’m being honest with you, I want to be Dad. I still love to play, I was up in the gym at 6 a.m. this morning…it’s crazy. My daughter actually hoops now. Before I flew out here, I was in the gym with her for 20 minutes… It was priceless. You don’t get that time back,” Paul said. “But I want to hoop, because I love to hoop, but at the same time I do want to be Dad.”
Even as he’s aged past his prime, Paul has found ways to remain a key asset for winning NBA teams.
He proved to be an impactful pick-and-roll partner – and mentor – for Victor Wembanyama this past season with the Spurs, averaging 7.4 assists per game to go along with 8.8 points a night.
And even as one of the oldest players in the league, Paul was durable as can be, playing and starting in all 82 games.
It’s unclear whether there could be a fit for Paul on the Lakers or Clippers, if he’d be willing to sign elsewhere, or if the “Point God” will decide now’s the time to call it a career.
