Future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul may want to be a member of the Lakers next season.

Report: Chris Paul is 'determined to play' near Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers need more than help at the center spot this summer in order to become legitimate championship contenders next season. They need some help at the wing and guard spots and better bench depth in order to become an elite team.

They recognize that they need more speed and athleticism, which is one reason why they traded for the draft rights to 6-foot-8 forward Adou Thiero on Thursday. But it is possible they end up signing a player who recently turned 40 years of age.

Chris Paul, the future Hall of Fame point guard who has been named to 12 All-Star teams, reportedly wants to play close to his home in Los Angeles as his career winds down, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“Chris Paul would be another [Dallas] Mavericks target at $5.7 million,” Stein wrote, “but there is a growing belief that Paul… is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles if he indeed comes back for a 21st season.”

Paul averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists in 28.0 minutes a game this season with the San Antonio Spurs. He certainly isn’t anywhere close to the player he was as recently as four years ago, but he’s still a very capable playmaker and floor general, and he remains a dependable 3-point shooter.

He is one of LeBron James’ closest friends, and one always has to wonder if James’ influence in L.A. could result in Paul becoming a Laker.

But there are certainly risks with bringing in and relying on a player who has 20 years of wear and tear. His risk of injury is a lot higher, and his production could fall off a cliff at a moment’s notice.

Paul, of course, was once set to play for the Lakers in December 2011 when they agreed to a blockbuster trade with the then-New Orleans Hornets. But the NBA, which had assumed ownership of the Hornets, vetoed the trade, and he made his way to the Los Angeles Clippers instead.

He recently said during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he wants to be closer to his children, who live in the Southland.