Chris Paul is ready to begin a new life at 40.
The veteran point guard has hit free agency after spending a season on a youthful San Antonio Spurs roster.
GettyPaul isn’t ready to pass the baton to the next generation just yet[/caption]Paul appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to discuss his next move and dropped a major hint on his next destination as his priorities shift.
“My decision is more about family than anything. I have lived away from my kids for the last six years,” he admitted.
“My son just turned 16. My daughter’s 12. The past six seasons I have lived without them. I’ve been away from them for the last six years. That’s the conversation. I wanna be dad”
Paul’s fashion designer wife Jada Crawley has lived in Los Angeles with their two children since his days as a Clipper.
He has long been rumoured to fancy a link-up with LeBron James and could decide his short-term future lies in purple and gold.
Fans were split on social media, with some telling the future Hall of Famer to go out on a high as a Laker and others suggesting it was time for him to retire.
“Clippers or lakers but mostly clippers hopefully, go out in style,” posted one fan on X.
Los Angeles Lakers bosses do not have much cap space to work with and a starting center is the main priority after acquiring Luka Doncic to run the offense.
The 12-time All-Star could decide to sign for the veteran minimum and, with over $400 million in earnings over his 20-year career, can certainly afford the sacrifice.
Paul averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game for the Spurs and is more role player than superstar after turning 40 last month.
He wouldn’t be the oldest player on the Lakers’ roster as LeBron turns 41 in December.
ESPN wants Paul as an analyst It’s another first round exit for the LakersGettyThe two basketball icons have faced off 41 times over their careers, with Paul, who is still searching for an elusive first ring, boasting a 22-19 record over the four-time champ.
If they do not link up in LA, there is a chance LeBron and Paul could end up on the same team after they retire.
ESPN’s lead NBA producer Tim Corrigan recently told Andrew Marchand that he wants the duo and Steph Curry on the network.
“We’re hopeful,” Corrigan said. “You talk about those two guys, besides their insane physical gifts and talents and all the work they’ve done, their basketball minds, we would all benefit from more exposure to that. Right?
“And I would say somebody like a Chris Paul, who did a little bit with us last year, coming in and jumping in the studio and doing all that.
“Just to spend the time, to see how they see the game and feel the game. And recognize, there’s so many stories about LeBron knowing the call the other team’s making and telling his guys on the court, ‘Here’s what they’re going to do’ based on who’s coming on the court.
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“We would all benefit from that in live events and things like that. To have the mind of people who think that way and see that way.”
It would be quite the coup for ESPN, which has lost its rights in the NBA’s latest $77 billion TV rights package.
James is The Association’s all-time leading scorer, Curry tops the charts for 3s, and only Utah Jazz icon John Stockton — another candidate for greatest player never to win a Championship — has more assists than Paul.
But before the greats head for the studio, they have legacies to secure on the hardwood.
Curry’s ageing Golden State Warriors were bounced 4-1 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason.
LeBron and Doncic had previously fallen to the Wolves at the first hurdle in a big disappointment.
Boss JJ Redick called for his team to be in ‘championship shape’ next season in what was seen as a subtle dig at Doncic.
Whether a 40-year-old Paul fits the bill remains to be seen, and the icon may have the Clippers or Warriors in mind when he said he wanted to be closer to his family.
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