The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly in the market for a point guard and may target future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in free agency.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, he team has long sought to add depth at point guard and is now eyeing one of the most accomplished floor generals in NBA history.
NBA insider Brett Siegel recently reported that the Mavericks are “exploring ways to convince Chris Paul to sign with them in free agency.”
Dallas is likely exploring options for Paul due to his expressed desire to return to Los Angeles in some capacity, which he stated was a priority during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show earlier this month.
“I talked to my family about it. My son just turned 16. My daughter’s 12. The past six seasons I have lived without them,” Paul said.
“I’ve been away from them for the last six years. That’s the conversation.”
As a result, the Mavericks may need to offer a more competitive contract to lure Paul away from Los Angeles.
Although Paul is past his prime, he would fill an incredibly critical need for the Mavericks next season as a point guard who can help create shots for other players.
Currently, the only player on the roster who can consistently create shots for both themselves and their teammates is Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss at least half the season with a torn ACL.
Paul, one of the league’s all-time great distributors, remained productive last season, averaging 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc.
The 40-year-old point guard also has a history of mentoring young players in recent years, notably spending time with the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs
Paul could once again step into a mentorship role with the Mavericks, who are widely expected to draft Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Despite Flagg playing a different position than Paul, the future Hall of Fame guard could help teach him about the different aspects of the game.
Additionally, the two players already have a rapport, with Paul spending time with Flagg in Los Angeles earlier in the offseason.
While these factors may not be enough to convince Paul to join the Mavericks, it is worth a shot to convince him to play with one of the most touted rookies in recent memory.