"He's older.. He's broken down.. He's expensive" - Colin Cowherd sounds off on Chris Paul's potential move to the Lakers

Chris Paul © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After being waived off by the Phoenix Suns, Chris Paul seeks to contend for a championship-caliber team as all the steam indicates a move to the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. However, Colin Cowherd disapproves of it. Conversely, the veteran sports media analyst believes that CP3 is the complete opposite of what the Purple and Gold require to fill their voids.

“The (Los Angeles) Laker’s thing is nonsense. Chris Paul to the Lakers is nonsense. He’s older… He’s broken down… He’s expensive. Anthony Davis misses games. LeBron (James) misses games. Do you want your third-best player playing 55 games,” exclaimed Cowherd on The Herd.

Cowherd disapproves of CP3’s move to the Lakers

Chris Paul’s arrival may rejuvenate LeBron to get back to his offensive best and even help improve AD’s domination around the basket, yet Cowherd has raised an eye-opening point here.

In his three-year stint in Phoenix, the ‘Point God’ has featured in 70, 65, and then 59 games, respectively. Being 38 years old at this point, CP3 has had issues overcoming injuries quickly. That was a big factor that demoralized Phoenix Suns to overcome Denver Nuggets in the semi-finals this year. Moreover, the 12-time All-Star endured career lows in scoring average and overall shooting percentage in the 2022-23 season.

Similarly, injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis have severely affected the Lakers’ ambitions of contending for a championship in the past two years. While James escaped a season-ending injury at the business end of the 2022-23 season, AD’s injury woes are second to none. ‘The Brow’ has featured in less than 57 games in all of the last three seasons.

Given the track record of the Lakers’ duo, it is impossible to expect them to play more than 60 games a season. So, if the Lakers end up acquiring Paul, there are high chances of their top three superstars averaging 50 games or less.

How can the Lakers sign CP3?

The Lakers are already over the listed salary cap space. They can only acquire a floor general like CP3 by making a trade for a younger player. While the Purple and Gold are expected to retain Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell could well be out on his way. The question is how much Paul is willing to sacrifice to play for the Lakers. Similarly, how much are the Lakers willing to spend on CP3?

There are high chances of Paul only being able to earn the minimum for a veteran in Hollywood if he is desperate to pair alongside James and Davis.