Two Western Conference Teams That Could Use Chris Paul

The Chris Paul reunion in Los Angeles took an unexpected turn when the Clippers sent the 40-year-old point guard home earlier this month. What was supposed to be a heartwarming farewell season turned into an awkward split after reported clashes with the coaching staff. Now, as CP3 becomes trade-eligible on December 15, two contenders have emerged as potential landing spots: the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Both teams share a similar weakness: they desperately need help from a veteran point guard. For Houston, the timing couldn't be more critical. Fred VanVleet's season-ending ACL injury left the Rockets scrambling for a point guard who can effectively orchestrate their young, talented roster. Paul already knows what success looks like in Houston, having helped the team win a franchise-record 65 games back in 2018. His court vision and leadership could be exactly what players like Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson need as they integrate Kevin Durant into the lineup and push for a championship. While Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard have done an adequate job so far, the playoffs are a different grind. 

Minnesota presents an equally compelling case. Mike Conley, at 38, is showing his age while playing just 20 minutes per game, and the Rob Dillingham experiment has not worked out as hoped, leaving the team to slide Donte DiVincenzo over to the point position. The Timberwolves are legitimate contenders with Anthony Edwards leading the charge, but they lack the steady backup point guard who can manage the offense and keep younger players focused. Paul's championship experience, even without a ring, could prove invaluable in those crucial playoff moments.

The beauty of both situations is that neither team needs Paul to be the superstar he once was. They need exactly what he can still provide: leadership, decision-making, and 15-18 quality minutes off the bench. Yes, his overall numbers dropped dramatically this season, but context matters; he barely played and clearly wasn't in sync with the Clippers. Just last year, Paul played and started 82 games with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 28 minutes, 8 points, 7 assists, and 1.3 steals, proving he still has something left in the tank. 

Whether Paul ends up in Houston for a redemption reunion tour or Minnesota for one last championship chase, he deserves better than how things ended in LA. Both franchises offer him something the Clippers couldn't: a defined role on a team that actually needs him and a legitimate last chance at a championship.