5 NBA Teams Who Could Sign 40-Year-Old Chris Paul As A Starter; Two Contenders Out From This List

Chris Paul's free agency status is both shocking and intriguing. At 40 years old, Paul is one of the oldest players in the NBA, but his experience and ability also make him a valuable acquisition.

A recent report by the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds revealed why the former San Antonio Spurs guard hasn't signed a contract yet. Paul reportedly wishes to be a starter on his next team, a demand which may be tough to meet at this stage in his career.

Last season, Paul notched an average of 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, having played every game of the regular season with the Spurs.

Having shown his competence even at this stage in his career, it is difficult to ignore what he brings to the table. With Paul's wishes in mind, we explore five potential destinations where the 40-year-old could immediately enter the starting rotation and make a difference.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks may prove to be an ideal team for the veteran guard to join in the offseason. Although the Bucks may not appear to be contenders at the moment, they certainly have the talent to be one as Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the side.

The Bucks are currently lacking in the backcourt, especially after they decided to waive and stretch their star guard, Damian Lillard. As Lillard recovers from his injury, Milwaukee will still have him on their payroll, thus reducing the amount of money they have to offer.

With this in mind, Milwaukee could entertain the possibility of signing Paul, who would be a great addition to the team in the starting point guard role. 

With players such as Antetokounmpo and newly acquired center Myles Turner filling out the frontcourt, the Bucks have enough talent for Paul to effectively orchestrate the team's offense. 

As mentioned earlier, the Bucks are far from being a contender. While Paul's addition wouldn't change this situation completely, it would help the front office structure their approach to form a competitive and cohesive roster.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets may not be an ideal landing spot for Chris Paul, but it is hard to ignore the kind of impact he could have as a starter on the team. 

As things stand, the Nets are a very young team, featuring flat-out scorers. With Paul at the helm, the Nets' offense would be an exciting one, to say the least.

The Nets made some interesting moves in the offseason. After making use of all five of their first-round picks from this year's draft, Brooklyn opted to trade Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for Michael Porter Jr.

With shooters such as Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas on the team, the 40-year-old has legitimate scoring threats on the wings, waiting to receive the ball. Additionally, the reliable presence of Nic Claxton in the pick-and-roll and the dunker's spot makes for a critical first point of attack to set up the team's offense.

While there would undoubtedly be more attacking schemes in the works, Paul would have an opportunity to be extremely creative while running point for Brooklyn. 

With his veteran leadership also spurring the team forward, the Nets could emerge as an unlikely dark horse for the Play-In tournament in the weakened Eastern Conference.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are in a debilitated state after last season's showing. Given their poor roster construction efforts in the past, the Kings find themselves heading into next season without a genuine point guard in their starting rotation.

Sacramento is in a state of flux, undergoing major roster changes, with DeMar DeRozan potentially on the way out.  But this would have a lesser impact on the style of play the Kings would showcase if Paul were to join.

With the Kings, Paul would be in a slightly more competitive team, featuring the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and Keegan Murray. 

A pick-and-roll with Sabonis would make for an interesting starting point, especially considering the big man's ability to distribute. With shooters like LaVine and Murray waiting on the wings, Paul would have ample opportunities to facilitate scoring with such a team.

The only point of contention would be whether Paul would get the starting spot. Considering that the Kings recently acquired Dennis Schroder, who offers more defensively, the situation may not favor the 40-year-old.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz would prove to be an interesting proposition for Chris Paul at this point in his career. The Jazz ended the last season as the worst team in the West. 

With few prospects for improvement, it seems unlikely that they would be any better moving forward. But the addition of Paul could bring about a change in culture for the team.

In Utah, the veteran guard would be paired with the frontcourt pairing of Walker Kessler, John Collins, and Lauri Markkanen.

Kessler's ability to set solid screens and catch lobs would see a lot more attention with a player like Paul running point. Meanwhile, Collins and Markkanen will see a subsequent rise in their offensive stats as the guard facilitates more open looks, allowing them to score with less effort.

The veteran's addition would also be invaluable in facilitating the growth of Keyonte George and Ace Bailey, two players that the Jazz would look at developing for the future. With Jordan Clarkson headed to the Knicks after completing his contract buyout, the Jazz would do well to develop the young players under Paul's tutelage.

Utah currently features Collin Sexton in the starting point guard role. But considering the trade rumors involving him, it is widely expected that he will be headed out, thus allowing Paul to fit into the starting rotation.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic features a lot of young talent in their starting rotation, especially in the frontcourt, led by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Although their offseason signing of Desmond Bane has helped bolster their backcourt, the team is currently lacking in the point guard position.

Orlando typically has Jalen Suggs as its starting point guard. Suggs is a tough, defensive-minded guard who boasts a lot of athleticism. His averages of 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game made him an immensely valuable member of the rotation. 

Unfortunately, Suggs suffered a horrific knee injury early in March, effectively sidelining him from the rest of the postseason. Although he is expected to return for the 2025-26 season, Orlando will need a point guard to run their offense in the meantime. In such a situation, Chris Paul could be the perfect fit.

Although the pick-and-roll may not be a viable option for the Magic, given the way the team plays, Paul's creativity as a floor general could shine with so many offensive options. From Wagner to Banchero to Bane, Orlando has talented scorers in every position. 

The veteran's leadership would also be crucial in guiding the team in the playoffs, especially in light of their postseason loss to the Celtics. With the potential to make a deeper run this season, Paul and Orlando could mutually benefit from partnering up.

Chris Paul Inclined To Retire In Los Angeles

Chris Paul's free agency plan remains largely unknown, but the guard has indicated the desire to be closer to his family in Los Angeles. With this in mind, the Clippers and the Lakers have emerged as potential landing spots.

Regardless, the 40-year-old will find himself in a favorable position. With some power to decide where he intends to go next, Paul is likely to spend more time weighing his options before making a decision.

While the Lakers remain a viable option, primarily owing to their recent signing of Deandre Ayton, the scope for starting on a team featuring Luka Doncic appears to be slim.