NBA Rumors: Lakers linked to a long-sought-after future Hall of Famer 

No team has as much pressure to improve this summer as the Los Angeles Lakers. They will have to simultaneously re-sign superstar LeBron James as well as land a third star to help them compete for a championship.

There are several possible star trade targets, though perhaps not as many as first thought, increasing the need for the Lakers to find other ways to improve their roster. One such option could include acquiring future Hall of Famer Chris Paul.

Paul is on a non-guaranteed contract for next season and the Golden State Warriors may move him to upgrade their roster, with Paul potentially being bought out by his new team. If that were the case, then that would clear a path for him to finally join the Lakers.

In 2011, the Lakers famously almost traded for Paul, with Pau Gasol set to be sent to the Houston Rockets and Lamar Odom to the New Orleans Hornets as part of the deal. That deal was vetoed by then-commissioner David Stern, however, leaving Lakers fans with a grudge. That makes the thought of Paul finally joining the Lakers ironic since it would be 13 years after the fact.

Would Chris Paul be able to help the Los Angeles Lakers next season?

Despite Paul being 39 years old and set to return for his 20th season, he would still be a useful player for the Lakers to have. After all, they are unlikely to bring back point guard D'Angelo Russell next season so they will be in the market for more playmaking.

While they hope that the likes of Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, or, to a lesser extent, Dejounte Murray will be the players to fill that role, Paul could still join the Lakers regardless of a big trade. Possibly even signing for the minimum in the hopes that he can finally win a championship after 19 tries.

All in all, the Lakers being linked to Paul makes sense given their need to improve this summer. Also, given that Paul may be traded and later waived, he could finally join the Lakers and try to win a championship.