During a recent talk with the California Post, Bob Iger, soon-to-be co-owner of the Lakers, along with business partner Josh Kushner, confirmed their plans to acquire the team from Mark Walter, valuing it at an impressive $12.5 billion.
“It’s really too early to say what our plans are,” Iger remarked, adding, “Honestly, we haven’t mapped out anything yet.”
This uncertainty is understandable since Iger and Kushner only recently had the chance to purchase the Lakers. Iger noted that the deal was completed in just three days.
Yet, speculation has already begun swirling.
There are immediate questions about Jeanie Buss and her position as the one in charge of the franchise—she’s already agreed to stay on for at least five years after her deal with Walter.
Iger expressed his intention to respect the agreement with Buss.
However, ESPN added fuel to the speculation by reporting that several figures around the league have mentioned that Chris Paul, who recently retired, might play a role in the Lakers’ leadership if there are any shifts.
Iger and Paul, who were both long-time season ticket holders for the Clippers, built a solid relationship during Paul’s years with the team from 2011 to 2017, and they’ve remained in touch since.
Whether or not Paul is interested in a front office role with the Lakers remains to be seen. Similarly, it’s not clear if the franchise actually wants him on board.
If he were to join the Lakers, it would certainly add an intriguing twist to his basketball journey.
Chris Paul ––– Lakers?
It’s been nearly 15 years since Paul was on the verge of being traded to the Lakers back in December 2011.
Back then, the expectation was that the then-26-year-old would help the Lakers pursue championships during Kobe Bryant’s prime, while also becoming a key player for the franchise in the 2010s.
But, famously, that deal never materialized.
Instead, Paul went on to spend six years revitalizing the Clippers before they began to falter, only to be rejuvenated when LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2018.
Joining the Lakers now would give Paul a chance to have an influence on a team he nearly became part of, although in a completely different capacity.
It’s really up to Paul to decide if stepping into that role after his 21-year playing career, which concluded in February, is something he wants to pursue.
That said, there are league insiders who believe he might be well-suited for a front office position.
One front office representative from an Eastern Conference team told the Post they view Paul as ideally suited to start as a consultant, providing valuable insights based on his experience as a 12-time All-Star.
“It comes down to how dedicated he is to listening,” the source remarked regarding Paul’s potential executive role. “The understanding of the game at that high level has evolved a lot.”
Another front office analyst speculated that a coaching career could be a better fit for Paul, given his impressive player accolades.
“He thoroughly understands the game and is a natural leader,” the representative observed. “We’ve seen that both on the court and in locker room dynamics.”
They added, “Still, I think either a front office or coaching path could be in the cards for him.”
What the future holds for both Paul and the Lakers remains uncertain.
Nonetheless, if Paul were to join the Lakers, it could be an exciting new chapter for a franchise with a history of legendary point guards.
