Chris Paul is one of the great point guards in NBA history. The Phoenix Suns veteran is a 12-time All-Star, nine-time All-Defense selection, and NBA league leader in steals six times and assists on five occasions. 

He also managed to play just 59 games due to injury and missed the end of the Suns’ disappointing postseason run due to a groin issue. With Devin Booker and Kevin Durant as capable ball-handlers, Paul set a career low in scoring and shot attempts, though he still led the team in assists. 

He's now with the Washington Wizards after the Suns shocked the NBA world by acquiring star Bradley Beal. Paul was the centerpiece of a huge package heading to D.C. 

It's likely the rebuilding Wizards will let Paul go. Paul will be 38 for the 2023-24 season but is still a team leader, and distributor and can still put the ball in the basket when called upon. 

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NBA contacts developed over 20 years covering the league to create his hypothetical NBA futures odds as to which team Paul is playing for next fall. 

Chris Paul 2023-24 Team Odds

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

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Paul has two years left on a four-year, $120 million contract. This coming season is only partially guaranteed (if traded or released before June 28) and the final year is non-guaranteed. 

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Paul could be a stabilizing force on a contender or a veteran leader on a team looking to take the next step. The Wizards don't check either of those boxes, so it's likely the team won't have Paul for opening night this fall. 

Los Angeles teams jump to the front of the list. Paul lives there and has strong ties to both the Lakers and Clippers. Joining either side would put him on a contender, and each has a point guard heading into free agency (D'Angelo Russell and Russell Westbrook). Paul played for the Clippers for six seasons, forming a strong 1-2 punch with Blake Griffin. The Wizards' team president used to be the Clippers' GM, so there is a strong connection between the front offices. 

His bond with LeBron James, however, gives the Lakers a fighting chance. The Lakers will do what's in their power to make King James happy as a player option kicks in for 2024-25. 

Paul would prefer to wind down his career in L.A. His age, production and declining reliability to stay on a court could make it a tough sell at $30 million annually. If Paul wants to get that elusive championship ring, he may need to do so at a reduced rate. 

It's possible the Wizards keep Paul as that veteran presence. Washington reportedly hopes to keep Paul, unless Paul wants to be traded to a contender. Which he will. 

If money talks, and it often does, other teams will be able to offer better deals. 

As it stands now, only seven teams are projected to have a positive amount of cap space entering the offseason. None of them are championship contenders. Most of the "contenders" that would want Paul will struggle to pay him more than a mid-level exception or veteran's minimum. 

No team can afford to spend big this off-season like the Houston Rockets, whose $59 million in projected cap space is $14M more than any other team, and over $100 million more than some contenders that may need to dig their way out. The Rockets have been strongly linked to James Harden. Perhaps Paul returns to Houston as well. 

The San Antonio Spurs may be the only other team not currently in contention that could sway Paul and may him more than the mid-level exception. The Spurs rank No. 3 in cap space and will be adding generational talent Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

The Field includes teams that could use a point guard upgrade but must first decide if they’re “going for it” and if it’s all worth the cost. That includes the Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans. It also includes teams that are going for it, but aren't in a financial spot to make a move yet, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics. 

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