Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick during an NBA game.
Chris Paul is still very muchChris Paul, and he may have just reminded the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach JJ Redick of it with one short caption.
Paul posted an Instagram video of himself knocking down a long string of 3-pointers and wrote “342…” while tagging Redick with a saluting emoji.
On its face, it’s simple: a veteran guard getting shots up. But the number is doing the talking.
Why Chris Paul Wrote “342” and Tagged JJ Redick
If you’ve followed Redick’s playing career — or even his post-career “basketball sicko” reputation — “342” is basically a calling card.
Redick has talked for years about an offseason routine that included making 342 shots in a session (often referenced as a weekly grind), a hyper-specific benchmark that became synonymous with his work ethic as an elite shooter.
So when Paul captions a shooting clip with “342” and tags Redick, it reads like a direct nod:I know your drill. I respect it. I’m on that same work.
And for Lakers fans, it lands even louder because Redick isn’t just a former sharpshooter anymore; he’s the Lakers’ head coach, now in his second season.
The Message to the Lakers Feels Pretty Clear
Paul’s post doesn’t explicitly say “sign me.” It doesn’t have to.
The strong message is this: he’s staying ready, he’s still in shape, and he’s still putting in the exact kind of disciplined work Redick has always preached.
That matters because Paul’s NBA situation has been messy this season.
On Dec. 3, 2025, the LA Clippers announced they were parting ways with Paul and that he would no longer be with the team, with the sides in a holding pattern as the franchise explores trade/buyout paths.
So yes, the Lakers angle is going to pop up any time Paul looks sharp on social media, especially when he tags the Lakers’ head coach.
What It Could Mean (and What It Doesn’t)
To be clear: an Instagram caption isn’t a transaction.
But in the NBA, veterans communicate in subtle ways all the time, and a “342” tag is about as inside-baseball as it gets. It suggests Paul is plugged into Redick’s culture and is comfortable saluting it publicly.
That’s why Lakers fans instantly read it as more than a workout clip: it’s a veteran point guard signaling he still has something to offer, at a time when the Lakers have been searching for consistency.
Los Angeles has taken hits during a recent stretch, including a Jan. 13 loss to the Sacramento Kings that extended a skid, even with Luka Doncic putting up a massive scoring night.
And whether it’s minutes, leadership, or just another steady hand in the backcourt room, Paul’s post is a reminder that he’s not treating this season like a goodbye tour.
Stats & Context Lakers Fans Will Watch Next
Here’s what’s real right now:
Paul and the Clippers publicly split in early December, with the next step dependent on a trade/buyout outcome.
Redick is the Lakers head coach, and his “342” shooting routine has become famous around basketball circles.
Paul is still posting workout evidence that he’s staying in rhythm, and he’s tagging the Lakers coach while doing it.
If Paul becomes available in a way that allows him to choose a landing spot, this is exactly how the breadcrumbs start, not with a quote, but with a number that only hoops people immediately understand.
And “342” is a pretty loud one.