Lakers Top The Odds To Secure Controversial Guard

Earlier this week, Paul posted a workout video showing him drilling three-pointer after three-pointer. The caption read simply: “342…” — followed by a tag of Lakers head coach JJ Redick and a salute emoji.

For those familiar with Redick’s offseason routine, the reference was unmistakable. “342” isn’t random. It’s the exact number of shots Redick has made every Sunday for more than a decade, a ritual he once detailed publicly as part discipline, part obsession.

Paul and Redick shared four seasons together with the Clippers. The shorthand matters. So does the timing.

The Lakers rank near the bottom of the league in three-point efficiency, and Redick has repeatedly emphasized spacing, shooting habits, and professionalism since taking over the bench. Paul’s post didn’t pitch himself as a savior. It positioned him as something Redick values deeply: prepared, deliberate, and still working.

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A Veteran in Limbo, Not in Decline

Paul’s NBA status remains unresolved. The Clippers announced in early December that they were parting ways with the 40-year-old guard, effectively putting his season on pause while trade or buyout options are explored. He hasn’t appeared in a game since Dec. 1.

What he has done is train — loudly and consistently.

Paul has said publicly that he doesn’t want his career to end this way, without closure or contribution. He continues to work out daily, often at the Clippers’ former Playa Vista facility, sharing clips that reinforce one thing: he believes he can still help a contender.

That belief aligns neatly with the Lakers’ immediate reality.

Why the Timing Makes Sense — and Why the Fit Doesn’t

Austin Reaves’ recent injury changed the short-term conversation. Losing him for several weeks removes a stabilizing presence from the Lakers’ backcourt, and while Luka Dončić and LeBron James remain the engine, depth suddenly matters more.

On paper, Paul’s contract is easy. A veteran minimum figure slides cleanly under the cap, and Los Angeles deliberately left roster flexibility open for moments like this.

But roster math isn’t roster logic.

Internally, the Lakers have been intentional about targeting younger players who fit alongside Dončić and Reaves beyond this season. Paul doesn’t. He wouldn’t replicate Reaves’ scoring, wouldn’t materially improve the team’s defense, and wouldn’t add value off the ball in a lineup already dominated by elite creators.

This isn’t about whether Paul can still play. It’s about whether the Lakers need what he provides.

Why the Odds Are High, Even If the Door Isn’t Open

The Polymarket numbers tell a story of visibility, not certainty. Paul’s history with the franchise. His relationship with LeBron James. His familiarity with Redick. The symbolism of unfinished business in Los Angeles.

All of that fuels belief.

But belief doesn’t always align with front-office priorities. If the Lakers make a move near the deadline, it’s more likely to be a younger piece who fits the next phase of their build — not a short-term reunion that satisfies nostalgia more than need.

The Lakers have waited a long time to play the long game again. Adding Chris Paul now would be emotional.

Staying patient might be smarter.

And that’s why this feels likely — without feeling inevitable.