Chris Paul started every game for the Spurs last season but he’s content to be James Harden‘s backup with the Clippers, he told reporters this week.
“My role on this team is obviously different than it’s been the past 20 years, being in the NBA,” Paul said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “But showing up every day, if I can show some of the guys what it looks like every day to clock in and clock out, I’m excited for it.”
Paul signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract to continue his Hall of Fame career and once again chase a championship, the one thing that has eluded him in his career. He’s hopeful the drought will end during his second stint with the franchise.
“I’m just so excited about the moves that the team has made this offseason,” Paul said. “Brad (Bradley Beal) coming to the team, Brook Lopez, all the young guys. I talked to James, I talked to Kawhi (Leonard), and I’m even more excited about what I think we have a chance to do.”
Returning to Los Angeles as a free agent was a “no-brainer” for Paul, since his family is situated there..
“If I’m really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary,” Paul said.
It was reported that Paul also seriously considered returning to Phoenix but the Suns brass was cool to the idea of a reunion.
There was well-documented friction between Paul and Harden when they played together in Houston but Paul shrugged off those past disagreements.
“You know we got on each other in different situations,” he said, per Law Murray of The Athletic. “But that team, I can honestly say, it was one of the funnest teams I’ve ever been on in my career, and James is one of those guys that loves to be in the gym all day long. And so it’s wild that you get this opportunity again after those two years and the success that we had, and we definitely know we had unfinished business. So we get a chance to see what’s going on here.”
Paul, who is entering his 21st year in the NBA, refused to reveal whether he plans to make this season his last.