Lakers are one of the few teams that can prevent Chris Paul from retiring

Jeremy Beren

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Lakers are one of the few teams that can prevent Chris Paul from retiring image

Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The split between Chris Paul and the LA Clippers has stunned fans around the NBA.

Less than two weeks after Paul confirmed that he would retire following the 2025-26 season, the Clippers parted ways with the future Hall of Fame inductee, as reports indicated that Paul and head coach Tyronn Lue clashed repeatedly amid LA's slow start to the season.

Now 6-16, the Clippers are already three games out of a spot in the Play-in Tournament — and Paul is without a team as his legendary career draws to a close.

Speaking Thursday on Run It Back, former Clippers star Lou Williams said that he spoke with Paul about his retirement. While CP3 is "at peace" with his decision, there is a small group of teams that could convince him to continue his 21-year career.

"Ninety-eight percent of the reason he wanted to be a Clipper, or be in Los Angeles in general, is to be closer to his family," Williams said. "He's gotten used to being at home.... I don't think he goes out and looks for another job unless it's in purple and gold, or Sacramento or somewhere close by."

Paul joining the Lakers as a free agent would represent one last shot for the 40-year-old to cap his career with a championship.

The Lakers are second in the Western Conference with a 15-5 record, and adding another ball-handler to their Luka Doncic-dominated guard rotation could be beneficial to head coach JJ Redick.

In addition, Paul and LeBron James have been close friends for more than 20 years, and they have never been able to play together on the same team in the NBA.

With James perhaps eyeing retirement himself in the next year or two, that could be another reason for Paul to jump ship and join the Clippers' city rivals.

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Contributing Writer