HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mark Cuban's goal is to make the Dallas Mavericks a championship team again within a two-year window. After Dallas missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, the owner vowed the Mavs would have a "quick rebuild." The pending pitch to free agents this summer -- including Chris Paul and Dwight Howard -- is that the franchise can take a significant step forward next season and then have the salary-cap space available again in 2014 to make more major upgrades. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Mark Cuban, Owners 

Mark Cuban, on whether any potential options -- left unsaid: Chris Paul -- have been eliminated since the end of the season: "No, not at all. Nothing has really changed. Our approach has always been to be opportunistic and explore all of our options and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We haven’t closed any doors, and as far as we know, there haven’t been any doors that have been closed to us. We’re just going to run them all out there and see what happens.” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Mark Cuban, Owners 

Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have refused to offer coach Vinny Del Negro a new contract, a source said Wednesday that the Dallas Mavericks believe they have a better chance of acquiring Dwight Howard than acquiring Chris Paul. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

“I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers,” the source said. “The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard.” The source said two point guards who interest the Mavs are Golden State’s Jarrett Jack and Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless. Both players figured prominently in their teams’ runs in the current playoffs, and both will become free agents in July. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

It was All-Star Weekend in Houston when Dwight Howard and Chris Paul – the two prize members of the NBA free-agent class — among others were in town. The perfect time for the Rockets’ star James Harden to add recruiter to his repertoire. “I’ve built some friendships these last couple years, this summer and throughout the time playing,” Harden told the Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “They know what kind of person I am, how hard-working I am, knowing I want to win. I hope that becomes a factor of wanting to come to Houston and trying to win championships.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, James Harden 

Darnell Mayberry: Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant have been named to the All-NBA First Team. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan 

Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks ranks third with U.S. retail sales of $40 million for his Jordan Melo M9. Anthony is part of the Jordan Brand roster, which also includes Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. Forbes.com

Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook 

The hope is to sell Howard or Chris Paul -- who would each have to sacrifice a fifth year on the max contract that he could get from the Lakers and Clippers, respectively -- on the possibility of building a championship contender. "We'd love to get one of the main guys," Nowitzki said last week. "It's going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they're in. I think that's pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We'll just have to wait and see." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

A league source says Chris Paul will check out other teams, as Howard is expected to do. If Paul leaves, it could could pose a problem for the Lakers, who had enough already, if he and Dwight Howard decide to create a new option, joining up in Atlanta. Howard and Paul are pals. The Hawks can open up two maximum slots. They mused about Atlanta (D12’s from there, CP3 from North Carolina) years ago, before fate led them in other directions. Lakers Nation

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Grunwald confirmed the Knicks are unable to do a sign-and-trade for free agents Chris Paul or Dwight Howard because of new collective bargaining agreement rules forbidding luxury taxpayers from partaking in free agency. They only have the $3.1 million mini-midlevel exception, plus the 24th overall pick in June’s draft. New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Coaching sources have maintained for weeks that Golden State assistant Michael Malone will be high on the Clippers' list since he and Paul have a good relationship from their days together in New Orleans, where Malone was an assistant under Monty Williams. Paul holds Malone in very high regard, as does James, his friend and agency-mate at CAA. Speaking of Williams, word is that Paul would love to join forces with him in L.A., but Williams is under contract and the chances of him being made available to discuss a lateral move are remote. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

Say what you want about Sterling; it's all true. But whenever I put a question to him he tries to provide an answer. I told him I didn't understand the rationale behind Del Negro's dismissal. "The coach is a wonderful man, and I'm sad about the whole thing," Sterling said. "Was this done," I asked, "just to hang onto Chris Paul?" "I always want to be honest and not say anything that is not true," Sterling said. "So I'd rather not say anything. "But you know, the coach did a really good job. I think he did. And I liked working with him. There are just factors that make life very complicated and very challenging." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching 

Do the Clippers really think he would accept almost $28 million less to sign elsewhere? "Here you have two inexperienced people running your basketball operation in [GM] Gary Sacks and [son-in-law] Eric Miller," I told Sterling. "And Andy Roeser doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to basketball personnel decisions. "So I wonder, is this decision being made because the players are now calling the shots? Am I off base?" "No, you're not off base," Sterling said. "This is a players' league, and, unfortunately, if you want to win you have to make the players happy. Don't you think that's true?" Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Andy Roeser, Gary Sacks 

Adrian Wojnarowski: For the Clippers coaching job, Byron Scott has to be considered a candidate. He still keeps a close relationship with Chris Paul. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Byron Scott, Coaching 

Ken Berger: Among the biggest reasons the Clippers let Vinny Del Negro go today, sources say: Chris Paul was not a fan. Twitter @KBergCBS

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching 

Arash Markazi: Sources said Clippers would talk to CP3 and Griffin before making any coaching moves. If they wanted him back, he'd be back. Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Coaching 

Despite considerable success and progress in his two seasons as coach, Del Negro was unable to withstand a first-round Western Conference loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and a free agent-to-be superstar, Chris Paul, who wanted a different coach, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Del Negro did not have a contract beyond this season. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Free Agent 

Frank Isola: Carmelo on whether Chris Paul re-signs with the Clippers: "Shit, I don't know. Don't start anything Frank." Oh, it's started. Twitter @FisolaNYDN

Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony 

Alex Kennedy: The Atlanta Hawks will also pursue Dwight Howard. Their dream scenario is to sign Howard and Chris Paul. They can offer two max contracts. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Arash Markazi: A big issue for VDN and the Clippers is he'd need at least a 3-year deal. Does CP3 want to trust VDN with the prime of his career? Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Los Angeles Clippers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching