Why Chris Paul can't sign with the Lakers — yet originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Chris Paul's release from the Los Angeles Clippers took the NBA by surprise.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOvernight Tuesday into Wednesday, the Clippers sent Paul home. Having lost 14 of their last 16, L.A. opted to cut Paul loose.
The reasons why are still trickling out, but there's already speculation about where Paul might go next.
One popular destination, and an easy one to leap to, is the Los Angeles Lakers.
Except there's one problem with that: Paul can't sign with the Lakers until Jan. 19.
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ESPN clarified that specific detail in a new article that analyzes Paul's options. The Lakers are dealing with penalties associated with the second apron of the salary cap setup, and so they can't fill their open 15th roster spot until that date.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Houston Rockets are another team that could consider Paul but also can't sign him until January.
Roster spots will open up for more teams on Jan. 7, when teams make decisions on partially guaranteed contracts, writes ESPN's Bobby Marks.
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All this January talk suggests Paul may be a free agent for a little while before going somewhere new.
That'd be good for the Lakers, at least, since they can't do anything to get Paul in the meantime, if that's a move they'd really like to consider.
CP3 was only playing 14 minutes a night with the Clippers, but it seems likely that he'd enjoy joining LeBron and making one last run at a title.
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