The Clippers still might trade Paul! Insiders list three potential destinations: the Thunder, Lakers, and Rockets.

On December 3rd Beijing time, the Clippers took Chris Paul off their roster, but technically, they have not formally waived him yet. This means the veteran will be eligible for a trade starting December 16th (Beijing time) and can be sent to another team.

Salary expert Gozlan pointed out that the Clippers' statement about this shocking news did not explicitly say they waived Chris. "The statement didn’t clearly say they waived Chris; it sounds like they plan to keep him on the roster first and then try to trade him later. He can be traded starting December 16th. Either way, the Clippers are gearing up for some major changes."

NBA insiders have identified several teams that could potentially be the final destination in Paul's career, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets.

During his brief stint with the Thunder, Paul played a crucial mentoring role for the young Alexander and developed a strong bond with the Canadian player. He not only attended the 2025 NBA Finals to support Alexander and the Thunder but also took part in the team's celebration after they won the championship in a seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers.

From this perspective, if Paul can help the Thunder win back-to-back NBA titles in his final season and secure the championship ring he has long desired, it would undoubtedly be the most fulfilling way to end his career.

Looking at the Lakers, Paul has a close personal relationship with LeBron James and J.R. Smith, and since he already resides in Los Angeles, joining the Lakers would be a natural fit. In fact, his decision to sign with the Clippers during the offseason was partly to stay close to his children and family.

The Rockets are also an attractive option. Since VanVleet was sidelined for the season due to an ACL tear, Houston has lacked an experienced primary ball-handler. Although Shepard and Amen Thompson have performed well as ball carriers, Paul could serve as a backup point guard in the playoffs to provide valuable support. It’s worth remembering that Paul helped the Rockets reach the Western Conference Finals back in 2018.

This legendary point guard signed a one-year veteran minimum contract worth $2.29 million with the Clippers during the offseason. On November 23rd, he confirmed via social media that the 2025-26 season would be his final one. Unexpectedly, just ten days later, the Clippers decided to part ways with him.