After finishing the season with a 36-46 record—falling twelve games short of a playoff spot—the Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly exploring veteran additions to their roster. According to a recent report, they may be targeting 15-time NBA All-Star point guard Chris Paul.
Sam Amico of Hoops Wire noted in his latest roundup of league rumors that the Blazers could be among the teams interested in Paul, should he not return to the San Antonio Spurs:
“The Blazers are among the teams that could have an interest in Chris Paul should he not return to the Spurs,” a source told Hoops Wire.
Portland General Manager Joe Cronin has expressed satisfaction with the team’s current roster, but league sources suggest the organization is eager to bring in a veteran guard to mentor young point guard Scoot Henderson. With reports indicating Paul is unlikely to remain in San Antonio, the Blazers could emerge as a suitor. Paul had a productive season with the Spurs and is expected to draw attention in free agency. Although retirement rumors surround the 40-year-old—currently the NBA’s third-oldest player—he reportedly intends to continue playing.
Chris Paul Still Producing Despite his age, Paul showed he can still contribute meaningfully. He played all 82 games for San Antonio, starting each one, and posted solid averages of 8.8 points and 7.4 assists per game in 28 minutes, with just 1.6 turnovers. His 5.7 win shares ranked 53rd in the league. Other teams reportedly interested in Paul include the Dallas Mavericks—who are preparing to welcome Cooper Flagg from the draft but will be without Kyrie Irving due to an ACL injury—and the Los Angeles Lakers, who may want to reunite Paul with his longtime friend LeBron James while shoring up a weak point guard rotation. Still, Portland presents a viable landing spot. While Paul doesn’t align with the Blazers’ youthful core in terms of timeline, his experience could help accelerate their development.
A Need for Veteran Leadership Since trading Damian Lillard to Milwaukee in October 2023, Portland has focused on building around its young talent—and there’s progress. Shaedon Sharpe took a leap in his third season, averaging 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. With improved offensive spacing and ball movement, he could become even more efficient. The team also saw strong contributions from Deni Avdija—acquired via trade—who emerged as a near triple-double threat, and second-year forward Toumani Camara, who established himself as a reliable two-way player. Rookie center Donovan Clingan has already made his mark in the paint, and Anfernee Simons, despite his experience, remains just 25 years old (for now).
Mentoring Scoot Henderson Where Paul might be most impactful is in guiding Scoot Henderson. The second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft struggled in his sophomore year, posting declines in both scoring (12.7 PPG) and assists (5.1 APG). Entrusted with leading the offense, Henderson had difficulty managing tempo, decision-making, and defensive pressure. Improvements are needed in his ball handling, shooting, and defense. While Henderson remains Portland’s franchise point guard for the future, his first two seasons haven’t lived up to expectations. Adding Paul—whether to start alongside Henderson or to split minutes—could provide invaluable mentorship and stability. If Paul is open to joining a rebuilding team rather than chasing a ring with a contender, Portland could be an ideal fit.
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