Chris Paul Linked to Timberwolves After Shocking Clippers...

By Robert Marvi

Contributing Sports Writer

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It looked like Chris Paul was going to wrap up his Hall of Fame career in his hometown after the Los Angeles Clippers signed him this past summer. But with the team in disarray, it decided to part ways with him and sent him home.

Paul, who is in his 21st season and is 40 years of age, is averaging 2.9 points on 32.1% field-goal shooting and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes a game, all of which are career lows, so far this season. The Clippers can end up waiving him, buy out his contract or trade him, although, according to NBA rules, they cannot trade him until Dec. 15 since it signed him as a free agent during the offseason.

Zach Harper of The Athletic feels Paul could be a good option for the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that has been playing solid basketball but needs some help to become an elite squad.

"I woke up to a text from my friend Trevor (a massive Wolves fan) wondering if the Wolves should bring in Paul," Harper wrote. "And Minnesota is the type of team you should think of in this situation. Anthony Edwards as lead guard is good, but it’s going to wear him down at some point. Mike Conley is effective but limited because of his advanced age and NBA odometer. Rob Dillingham has not been good at all, to the point that the Wolves were throwing Bones Hyland on the court at one point. They need another player to initiate some offense, just to save Edwards’ legs.

"The Wolves have been so bad at remaining serious in games they think they’ve wrapped up that it might be good to bring in someone with more intense focus. If there is going to be a chance of Dillingham getting it together this season, it might come from having to battle a 40-year-old CP3 for minutes. If he can’t prove he’s the option over what’s left of Paul, then that’s your sign he can’t contribute in the way the Wolves need."

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The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals in both of the last two seasons, and many expected them to be an elite team this season. While they have a 13-8 record, they're only in sixth place in the West, and the point guard position is a big weakness.

Conley, who was their starting point guard over the last few seasons prior to this one, is 38 and is clearly a faint shadow of the player he used to be. Edwards is playing well, but he is not a natural point guard or facilitator, and he would benefit from having a competent point guard alongside him.

In addition to giving Minnesota a reliable facilitator, Paul could also bring some veteran leadership to a Minnesota team that has had some trouble winning big games come playoff time.

Read more: Report: Warriors Could Trade for Eastern Conference Star

Minnesota has won three games in a row, but that streak followed three losses in a row. Its last loss, which came on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ensured it would not advance to the knockout rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup.

For more on the Timberwolves and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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