The Clippers aim for veteran recovery! Can Chris Paul become the championship puzzle?

NBA free market is in full swing, and many teams are making adjustments and strengthening for the new season. Especially today, when competition in the West is becoming increasingly fierce, the Clippers' movements have attracted a lot of attention. Chris Paul, a veteran who was originally inconspicuous in the market, has become the focus of this summer's big deal! Not only the Clippers, but many other teams are competing for this former All-Star point guard, and whether he can join the Clippers and whether he can compete for the championship with Harden and other veterans has become a hot topic.

The former "King of Assistances" has now entered the end of her career, and Paul's role has undergone major changes. He hopes to join the Clippers with an annual salary of $5 million, but the Clippers are only willing to provide a basic salary contract of more than $2 million, which undoubtedly puts the negotiations in a deadlock. What unknown mystery is hidden behind this "salary gap"? Is it the Clippers' estimate of Paul's future contribution, or is there a fundamental difference between the two sides' expectations for the future?

Another highly-watched news is that the Clippers seem to be welcomed with an experienced inside support - Horford. Last season, he averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds per game and had a 36% three-point shooting percentage. He has the potential to improve the Clippers' inside strength in both offense and defense. Although he is no longer the top player of his past, his experience and stability can still provide strong support for the Clippers' journey to the championship. If Horford really joins, the Clippers' inside problems will be effectively reinforced, adding more guarantees to their goal for the championship.

After strengthening Paul and Horford, the Clippers' lineup does look quite strong, but they still can't take it lightly. Especially the Rockets, after a series of operations, their strength has increased greatly - they obtained Durant through trades, and signed powerful players such as Capela, so the Rockets' lineup depth and overall strength have been greatly improved, and the Clippers will face powerful challenges from the Rockets. If the Clippers fail to solve their salary problems in time, they may miss the opportunity to win the championship again.

For the Clippers, the addition of Chris Paul and Horford will not be as simple as strengthening, but an opportunity to reshape the team's competitiveness. Especially after partnering with Harden, how the three veterans find the right roles in the season will determine whether the Clippers can be promoted from a playoff-level team to a true championship contender. However, the active strengthening of other teams in the market has also made the Clippers' future full of variables. In the end, we will wait and see who can laugh to the end.