An NBA executive sees coaching or front-office work in Chris Paul's future, giving the Lakers a practical way to add another experienced voice.
Chris Paul has spent most of his life directing traffic, spotting a mistake before it opens and telling teammates where the next pass needs to go.
Retirement changed that job title, though it didn't erase the habits that made him one of the sharpest point guards of his era.
The organization is changing around Luka Doncic, with Paul's close friend Bob Iger now a part of the ownership group, and the younger players need teaching, so Paul could help.
The Fit Goes Beyond His Playing Career
One Eastern Conference executive described the range of jobs that could suit Paul after retirement by saying, “I could see either front office or coaching in his future.”
The comment leaves room for Paul to learn both sides before choosing a permanent lane in Los Angeles.
A season spent moving between film sessions, guard workouts and personnel meetings would show whether he enjoys daily teaching or the slower work of comparing players and building a roster.
The Lakers can make that trial useful without attaching a large title from the start of camp.
His career assist total and nine All-Defensive selections show the range of that experience.
The Lakers have also expanded their basketball operation with an analytics-focused assistant general manager, which creates a staff where different viewpoints can sit beside each other.
Paul would need to learn scouting schedules, salary rules and staff meetings while connecting those jobs to what players see during a possession through development, film work or occasional practice duties.
That trial would also give Redick and Pelinka time to see how Paul handles disagreement from the other side of the room.
Los Angeles Has Two Useful Openings
Zach Guthrie's move from the G League into a player-development role shows that Los Angeles is willing to create a bridge between teaching and the main bench.
The front-office path would be different because Paul could sit in on personnel meetings, study how contracts shape roster choices and bring a player's view on fit.
Rob Pelinka remains responsible for those decisions, while Luka Doncic has a voice in the roster-building process.
That mix could help Paul learn without turning every suggestion into a transaction, while giving the Lakers another person who understands how stars receive information and why a good idea can fail when the delivery is wrong.
Doncic's career as a high-usage playmaker also gives Paul a current star whose view of the floor should produce detailed conversations.
A Small Role
Paul's playing résumé shouldn't skip him past the early stages of a new profession, and a limited role would let both sides see where he is most useful.
Los Angeles could ask him to work with guards during selected practices, join film sessions and observe personnel meetings through the season.
The coaching path can grow if he gravitates toward teaching, but deeper personnel work would obviously remain available if roster construction keeps pulling his attention.
