Chris Paul recently completed his 20th NBA season and, despite no longer being at his All-Star peak, remains a valuable presence for teams, especially through mentoring young players. Renowned for his exceptional playmaking, Paul helped San Antonio Spurs teammate Stephon Castle secure the Rookie of the Year award while maintaining his durability by playing all 82 games for the first time in his career. With free agency approaching, many are eager to see which young point guards will benefit from Chris Paul mentoring young NBA point guards next season.
Paul’s future with the Spurs is uncertain as he becomes a free agent. On the latest episode of KG Certified, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed who they believe would be the best candidates for Paul’s mentorship.
Kevin Garnett’s Picks: LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant
Kevin Garnett first named LaMelo Ball as an ideal rookie to develop under Chris Paul. While Garnett had previously recommended targeting LaMelo during the Spurs’ offseason efforts, this time he sees Paul’s guidance benefiting a different franchise with a young leadership void. Garnett highlighted LaMelo’s raw talent and potential to improve with Paul’s influence.
In a perfect world, I would love to see if LaMelo Ball could be under Chris Paul,
Garnett said.
LaMelo got so much rawness to him, that I think that if Chris Paul went under the hood and tightened up the bolt here and then put the carburetor on that m*****f*****, then [makes vroom vroom noises], you know what I’m saying?
—Kevin Garnett, Former NBA Player
Since being drafted by Charlotte in 2020, LaMelo has enjoyed considerable freedom on the court, leading to impressive individual statistics but only moderate team success. Although the Hornets’ performance improves significantly with him playing, they remain under .500 in wins with LaMelo on the floor.
Garnett also advocated for Ja Morant as a player who could gain immensely from Paul’s mentorship. The Memphis Grizzlies have relied on veterans like Tyus Jones and Derrick Rose to support Morant, but Paul’s experience and leadership could elevate the young star’s game to another level. Morant boasts immense talent but has yet to fully master the skills required to maintain peak performance and health into the late playoffs.
I think if you put some greatness to these young guards who already seein’ it how they see it, and then they take a little piece of a Chris Paul who’s gonna show them how to cut angles and change up pace. [Ball and Morant] stick out to me because those are real point guards that can score the ball.
—Kevin Garnett, Former NBA Player
Paul Pierce’s Suggestions: Lonzo Ball and Other Young Guards
Paul Pierce highlighted LaMelo’s brother, Lonzo Ball, as a promising player who could benefit from playing alongside Chris Paul. Lonzo rejoined the Chicago Bulls this season after recovering from serious knee injuries spanning over two years and has two more years left on his contract. If Paul were to join Chicago, his mentorship could also aid guards like Coby White and a returning Josh Giddey, who had an impressive breakout season.
Pierce expressed a preference for Lonzo to move to a team like the Denver Nuggets, which could utilize his natural passing talents more effectively. With a player like Nikola Jokic, pairing Lonzo could create a formidable combination on offense and in playmaking.
Why Chris Paul’s Free Agency Is a Key Story This Summer
This summer’s NBA free agency promises to be eventful, and while most eyes are on stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and notable free agents such as Myles Turner, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Chris Paul’s next move could be one of the more impactful decisions for younger teams. Though Paul may not command the highest salary or most headlines, his ability to foster growth and leadership is highly valued.
The upcoming free agency period starting June 30 will reveal where Paul lands and which young point guard will gain from his mentorship. Whether it is LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, Lonzo Ball, or another emerging star, Paul’s influence is poised to shape the next generation of NBA leadership and skill. His presence on a young roster could be the difference in transforming potential into consistent winning performance.