After concluding his Hall of Fame career this year, Chris Paul might eventually find himself back in the game, but as a key figure in the Los Angeles Lakers' front office.
Following the stunning sale of the Lakers franchise, there are significant expectations that the all-time great point guard will land a job in Los Angeles due to his ties to new owner Bob Iger.
"Meanwhile, in projecting what a new Lakers front office could eventually look like, multiple sources around the league suggested to ESPN that the recently retired Chris Paul could have a role," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote. "Paul and Iger became close while the point guard played for the Clippers and Iger was a season-ticket holder.
"Their relationship has only strengthened over the years, sources said, with Iger hosting a book launch event at his house in 2023 for Paul's memoir, 'Sixty-One,' and Paul visiting Iger at his Disney office in Burbank, California, in March to support his friend when he cleared out his belongings to close out a 52-year run with the company."
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN previously identified Paul as a name to watch in the Lakers’ upcoming front-office plans following Iger and Josh Kushner’s takeover.
Lakers sold in the most stunning, yet expensive franchise deals in all of sports
In what has been another key, stunning development of this year's offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have embraced their third new ownership group within 15 months.
Mark Walter sold the Lakers for a staggering $12.5 billion to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, setting a new record for the most expensive sports franchise sale in history.
Reports have emerged that Kushner reached out to Walter about the possibility of buying the team last Friday. And within just three days, the deal was formalized, which left the entire sports world shocked.
After investing $10 billion to buy the Lakers from the Buss family in June last year. Walter instantly flipped the Lakers for $2.5 billion in revenue.
Chris Paul notably announced his retirement after a 21-year NBA career last February. His intended final farewell season this past 2025-26 did not end well amid his embattled breakup with the Los Angeles Clippers after reuniting with the franchise as a free agent last offseason.
A 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection, and a member of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, Paul's wide knowledge and expertise of the game as one of basketball's most brilliant minds can certainly help the Lakers' decision-making and plans to build a new era around Luka Doncic.