US Trends

where will cp3 go

Chris Paul (CP3) hasn’t picked his next team yet, but several realistic landing spots keep coming up in late-2025 rumors and analysis, mostly among Western Conference playoff hopefuls and young teams that need a veteran point guard. The consensus is that he’s near the end of his career and likely choosing between situations where he can both mentor young cores and chase a respectable final playoff run.

Current situation

  • CP3 and the Clippers have decided to part ways, with the team sending him home while they explore a trade, buyout, or eventual release.
  • He’s on a one-year, low-money deal and becomes trade-eligible around mid-December, which is when his market really opens up.
  • He has publicly signaled retirement in 2026, so this is widely seen as his final NBA stop.

Most-rumored destinations

Analysts and insiders keep circling a handful of teams as the most plausible answers to “where will CP3 go.”

  • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Mentioned repeatedly as a trade suitor looking for veteran guard depth and playoff poise.
  • Houston Rockets
    • Need at point guard after Fred VanVleet’s injury and have past history with CP3, plus several former teammates on the roster.
  • Dallas Mavericks
    • Floated as a spot where he could mentor young talent and help guide a team that controls key future picks.
  • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Often listed in “top destinations” pieces because of star power and CP3’s Los Angeles ties, if they decide they want another veteran ball-handler.
  • Oklahoma City Thunder / San Antonio Spurs / Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Named as potential fits for a stabilizing veteran who can mentor young guards and bigs while taking a smaller on-court role.

Why these teams make sense

  • Role : Nobody expects CP3 to be a 30-minute starter anymore, but as a second-unit organizer and late-game closer, his IQ and pick-and-roll game still grade out as high level.
  • Mentorship : Teams with young ball-dominant stars (Wembanyama in San Antonio, various young guards in OKC/Houston/Dallas) see value in his ability to teach pace, reads, and late-game execution.
  • Market + narrative : A “dignified retirement tour” on a competitive or up-and-coming team has become a common framing in national coverage.

What fans and forums are saying

On fan forums and comment sections, the discussion is more chaotic and speculative, but the themes are clear.

  • Some think a young team (like OKC or a rebuilding group) makes the most sense so he can play mentor and get steady minutes.
  • Others argue he should ring-chase one last time with a contender like the Lakers or a top West seed if they can make the money work.
  • There’s also a vocal segment that believes this Clippers split might simply nudge him toward retiring rather than forcing an awkward final stop.

Realistic bottom line

  • There is no official decision yet on where CP3 will go next.
  • The most frequently mentioned realistic options right now are the Timberwolves, Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers, Thunder, Spurs, and a few long-shot reunions like New Orleans.
  • Given his age, contract, and stated retirement timeline, expect his camp to prioritize a team that offers both playoff relevance and a respectful final chapter over pure money.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.