Chris Paul’s impending free agency in 2025 could take him to a new team. Kevin Garnett argues he would be a good mentor to a younger point guard like LaMelo Ball.
Throughout his career, Chris Paul has grown into one of the most reliable leaders in the league. He has made an impact on many players’ careers, serving as a mentor to them. This includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who credits CP3 for his growth as a player.
Paul is at the tail end of his career, so he will be an invaluable teammate to learn from. For NBA legend Kevin Garnett, that means he could mentor a young guard like Charlotte Hornets superstar LaMelo Ball.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesBall can benefit from a leader to look up to
During his years as the Hornets’ star guard, Ball has shown his raw talent. He is one of the most exciting point guards to watch, but he sometimes needs to stay subdued. That is where Paul can help because he is arguably the most refined point guard of the modern generation.
Ball has the natural talent and stardom, but Paul proved time and again that point guard play requires stability. Since making his NBA debut in 2005, Paul has been a reliable playmaker and leader. He also has a good track record of mentoring younger players, like Gilgeous-Alexander and Blake Griffin.
LaMelo Ball needs a vet to help him clean up his media presence.
If the Hornets want him to be the face of the franchise they have to teach him speaking like this isn’t it. https://t.co/enFgunC5TI
— Drew Velez (@haaaaandrew) November 16, 2024
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Garnett knows Paul will be an impactful mentor for a young guard like Ball. Since he is not returning to the San Antonio Spurs, Paul will have options across the league. That could be joining the Hornets to play alongside Ball.
“In a perfect world, I would love to see if LaMelo Ball can be under Chris Paul… LaMelo has such a rawness to him that if you put some greatness to these young guards, who already see it, how they see it.
“Then they take a little piece of like, a Chris Paul teaching them to cut angles and showing them to change up pace,” Garnett said on Ticket & The Truth.
Young guards will always benefit from a mentor like Paul
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best examples of Paul’s leadership. He became a superstar after learning from the veteran guard. Now, other teams would love to have that kind of mentorship for their young guards. Garnett argues Ball and Ja Morant would benefit the most, which is hard to go against.
The Portland Trail Blazers feel Paul can help them. They want him to be Scoot Henderson’s mentor, which is a good dynamic. Having someone like Paul teaching him how to be a better point guard could elevate his ceiling.
Paul has earned the league’s respect throughout the past two decades. Even in his 40s, he will still be an invaluable piece for any team.
The Portland Trail Blazers could show interest in Chris Paul to mentor Scoot Henderson, per @AmicoHoops
“The Blazers are among the teams that could have an interest in Chris Paul should he not return to the Spurs, a source told Hoops Wire. Portland GM Joe Cronin has suggested… pic.twitter.com/xsl2DqU1Zc
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 27, 2025
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Garnett can get his way and see Paul joining the Hornets, but Charlotte has many options around the league.
It is rare for a 40-year-old guard to have a big market in free agency, but Paul has earned that. Time will tell where Paul ends up, but wherever he lands, he will be valuable to their future.