The Golden State Warriors, who are currently having a very bad 2023–24 season, are anticipated to be big players in the trade market leading up to the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. Golden State is considering everyone except Stephen Curry, including seasoned guard Chris Paul. The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as the front-runners to acquire Chris Paul, 38, should the Warriors decide to sell him.

If the Warriors decide to split ways with Paul, BetOnline says the Lakers are a +300 favorite to be his next team. The Miami Heat, who are now leading the Eastern Conference, and the Los Angeles Clippers, who were CP3’s previous team, are both closely trailing at +400. To complete the top five, the Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers are also listed at +500.

LeBron James is going to be delighted about this, for sure. The fact that he and Paul are good friends is well known.

Paul had previously been pursued by Los Angeles as well. But this is the first time we’ve heard of Chris Paul and the Lakers being connected about this year’s trade deadline.

However, the Lakers’ route to get Chris Paul from the Warriors through trade could be a little convoluted. It’s difficult to see these two bitter rivals making a trade that would be advantageous to both of them. Both teams are still working really hard to turn around their poor first half of the season.

In the event that a trade isn’t made, the Lakers might be able to sign Paul in free agency in case Golden State transfers him to a team that doesn’t provide a contract, in which case they could buy him out. That may be the most practical method for CP3 to wear a Lakers uniform this year.