NBA Rumor: Chris Paul Free Agency
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The New Orleans Pelicans offered Chris Paul a three-year, $100 million contract in free agency before he agreed to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns on a four-year, $120 million deal that is partially guaranteed. “And Chris Paul, who they offered $100 million from what I understand,” said Brian Windhorst. “It helped Phoenix convince to give him at least partially guaranteed fourth year… I think Chris entertained it for some period of time.”
Chris Paul's contract partially guaranteed in third year, team option on fourth
Paul granted Yahoo Sports an exclusive interview on the heels of agreeing to his new deal. “One thing I’ll never do is take this game for granted,” Paul told Yahoo Sports. “I love to play. It’s a real privilege. I’ve said this time and time again, I don’t care what type of business endeavors I’ll have set up when I’m done playing, it’s going to be so hard and tough whenever I finish playing. Because I love the game, I love the grind, I love the workouts, all of it. This game means a lot to me, and I’m so thankful to be in this position.”
His name was linked to the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, but Paul realized he was in the midst of something special and elected to run it back. “After this season in Phoenix and experiencing how amazing the fans were, my chemistry with my teammates, with [Devin Booker] Book, with Monty [Williams], I knew Phoenix was where I wanted to be,” Paul told Yahoo Sports. “It’s time to get back to work.”
“I think the biggest thing for me and my advice is you can’t get bored with the process,” Paul told Yahoo Sports. “It’s crazy to think about all of this. My brother CJ [Paul], my agents, they see everything that goes into my training, the masseuses, the body work. I’m always working out. Getting up at three in the morning, five in the morning to go work out has paid off.”
Chris Paul lands monster deal to return to Suns
Chris Haynes: BREAKING NEWS: Free agent star Chris Paul reaches agreement with Phoenix Suns on four-year, up to $120 million contract that will expire when he’s 40, league sources tell @YahooSports.
There has been some chatter about New Orleans swooping in and inspiring Paul to rejoin the franchise that drafted him back in 2005, but rival executives believe he’ll remain with the Suns. The only question now, it seems, is how big of a bag he secures from Suns owner Robert Sarver.
Optimism that Suns, Chris Paul will reach new deal Monday night
Chris Paul declining option, will be free agent
Shams Charania: Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul is declining his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season and becoming an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
The biggest fish, Chris Paul, appears all but destined to return to Phoenix, sources said, on a deal that’s now widely rumored to be for at least three years, $90 million. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, the New Orleans Pelicans did have their sights set on prying Paul away from Phoenix.
Paul has a $44.2 million player option for 21-22 with the Suns that he could decline to become an outright free agent. Paul could also pick up the option and sign an extension with the Suns. “The feeling within the league now is that Chris Paul is going to stay put in Phoenix,” said Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective podcast. “The belief is Chris Paul will not ever be on the open market.”
League sources believe Paul would seek a three-year, $100 million package. With sufficient cap space, the Knicks would be keenly interested, as team president Leon Rose is his former agent. The Lakers are reportedly interested in a sign-and-trade to pair Paul with one of his best friends, LeBron James. Sarver can still match any deal to bring Paul back, but it sounded like he’s got his limits for the 36-year-old.
Sarver left things more open than expected, considering Paul led the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993. “I don’t know — it’s kind of interesting,’’ Sarver said on the Phoenix radio show “Burns and Gambo.” “I had some discussions with him after the season. I said, ‘You’ve only been part of the organization for nine months. There’s really not a lot of history here. From a team perspective it was my best season in 17 years and it was your best season in 16 years.’ So there’s really a lot there to keep the two of us together — the Suns and him. “But he’s got a decision to make. A business decision, family decision. Unfortunately, it’s not our decision. It’s his decision. He’ll have to decide whether he’s going to become a free agent or opt into his contract. We’ll know that in the next three days.”
Kellan Olson: Suns owner Robert Sarver said on @BurnsAndGambo that he doesn’t know right know what Chris Paul is going to do with his player option. Says that Paul has a decision to make and there probably will be other teams interested in him.
Paul, for his part, has indicated he’s willing to opt out of his $44 million deal for next year, sources say, though taking that position could be a leverage play with the Suns under pressure to keep him. Paul can sign a three-year contract without triggering the Over-38 rule — CBA minutiae that complicates contracts for players who have deals that stretch beyond their 38th birthday — or stay in his current deal and work out an extension with Phoenix, where he might take a pay cut after next year’s giant check.
Adam Aaronson: Woj calls Chris Paul’s free agency a “fascinating question.” “This is a test for Robert Sarver… it is not inconceivable that Chris Paul opts out and enters the free agent market.”
Marc Stein: Yet I still see the Lakers as the most realistic threat to derailing the Suns’ hopes of re-signing Paul, no matter how hard it is to pinpoint a pathway for them to acquire him because of the cap complexities. The reasoning: We know Paul would want to play again in Los Angeles, where his family still resides during the season, and also that he would want to play alongside James. The fact that Magic Johnson was tweeting about Paul-to-the-Lakers scenarios minutes after the Finals were over certainly won’t dissuade conspiracy theorists from believing that the Lakers are, at a minimum, exploring the options here.
“Now, no one expects Paul or Leonard to leave their teams if they opt out, but you never know,” said another West executive. “But there has been enough noise about Paul going to the Knicks. So, one just never knows. And, honestly, that makes this fun. Stressing, but fun.”
Chris Paul unlikely to sign with Lakers
CP3’s performance spiked his value, prompting multiple teams to potentially consider making a splash for the veteran playmaker. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks could float around as options for Paul. Marks: “I don’t want to burst the bubble for Lakers fans out there, but it’s highly unlikely that Chris Paul is going to take a 40-million dollar discount to go sign with the Lakers.”
Bobbby Marks: “I think if Phoenix elects to play hardball with Paul, we’re looking at teams like New York, his former agent Leon Rose is the president. Paul can potentially earn up to $43 million dollars to go to New York. You’re looking at teams like Dallas, you’re looking at potentially the Miami Heat, but I would still put Phoenix in the driver’s seat, even if Paul does enter free agency in early August here.”
Lakers after Chris Paul?
According to sources, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have been on the hunt for veteran point guard, and Paul is on the list. There have also been talks about Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook being a potential candidate to move back home to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade deal that could include free agent point guard Dennis Schroder, forward Kyle Kuzma and guard Talen Horton-Tucker, sources said.
For Paul to join forces with James for the first time in their careers, it would likely take a sign-and-trade with the Suns. The most the over-the-cap Lakers can offer Paul without a sign-and-trade is a $9.5 million taxpayer midlevel exception. The attraction of chasing his first championship with James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers could be an appealing option for Paul to ponder. Keep in mind that Paul, a former LA Clippers star, still lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two kids.
Paul is 36 right now and would trigger the ”over-38” rule on any deal that goes beyond 2023-24, so he’s either looking at a two-year extension or opting out and signing a three-year deal. If Paul opts out and signs a three-year deal with another team, the most he could make is $123 million. However, if he stays in Phoenix, he could sign for as much as $144 million over that time period.
According to former Nets executive and current ESPN salary-cap expert Bobby Marks, the Knicks’ extensive cap space would allow them to offer Paul a starting salary of $43 million (105 percent of his current wage) and a three-year deal for roughly $135 million. That’s a hell of a potential bid. Phoenix is the only team allowed to offer Paul a fourth year under cap rules, but then again, Suns owner Robert Sarver is not exactly known as an extravagant spender. “The Knicks would be the only team I’d see Paul taking a call from,” Marks said, “because of his relationship with Leon and the state of the team right now. It’s the only team I could see him visiting if he explores his options outside of Phoenix.”
According to former Nets executive and ESPN cap guru Bobby Marks, the Suns can offer Paul a four-year deal while the Knicks can’t go past three years because of an obscure “over-38’’ bylaw in the collective bargaining agreement. Marks predicts the Suns will net Paul with a three-year, $100 million contract if the veteran decides to opt out of the $44 million final season of his current deal. If Leon Rose’s Knicks attempt to match the offer, the Suns can add a fourth year. “I don’t think they will let him go,’’ Marks said of Phoenix.
Knicks may have a shot at Chris Paul
NBA Central: Several agents for point guards in the 2021 free agent class fear New York as a possible landing spot for Chris Paul, per @Ian Begley According to Ian Begley, New York would only be an option for Paul if he and Phoenix didn’t reach an agreement. (Via sny.tv) pic.twitter.com/ogjQRLywcK
Chris Paul to opt out of contract?
Chris Paul surprised many by telling associates recently he will opt out of his $44 million final year and seek another two-year deal at age 36. It’s hard to imagine the Suns not doing everything they can to bring him back on a two-year package — whether they win the title this season or not. Meanwhile, Cameron Payne, 26, showed plenty of playmaking potential as Paul’s stand-in and will be a free agent. It would be very Knicks-like to overpay a player who has not proven himself as a full-time starter.
Chris Mannix: The Chris Paul player option — $44.2 million — will be interesting to watch. Execs I’ve talked to peg CP in the three-year, $60 million-ish range on a new deal. Does Paul go for the most guaranteed money? Or does he pick up the option and bet he has another All-Star season?
IF history is any indication, Thibodeau may prefer a veteran guard over a younger player. During the regular season, Kyle Lowry’s name came up internally as a potential target. Earlier in the season, Dennis Schroder’s name also came up. If the Knicks turn to a veteran, the other name to keep an eye on is Chris Paul.
Gerald Bourguet: Chris Paul on today’s contract report and the potential distraction: “I haven’t seen it, to tell you the truth. And with our team, we’ve got a singular focus. That stuff doesn’t creep in our locker room.”
Chris Paul to opt out of final year of contract?
Paul has a $44.4 million player option, which according to several sources, he intends to decline with hopes of inking a new multiyear deal (perhaps in the $100 million range over three seasons). It’s unclear if his recent shoulder injury changes his plans.
Chris Paul unlikely to leave Suns
Chris Paul could become a free agent this offseason if he declines his 21-22 player option with the Phoenix Suns. Paul could also do an extension beyond the 21-22 season. “It certainly seems to me it’s hard to see him go somewhere else,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “He wanted to be there. He had to convince Phoenix a little bit that they were ready for him.”
Wojnarowski also mentioned that the New York Knicks could be a “leverage point” for Paul in any potential negotiations with the Suns. The Knicks are run by Paul’s former agent Leon Rose and they both have cap space and a need for point guard.
I bring up Hayward because of the similarity of their contractual situations. Paul has a player option for 2021-22 that pays him $44 million, so he’s not walking away from that for just anything. But as with Hayward a year ago (who turned down a $35 million option once four years and $120 million were on the table from Charlotte), one wonders if Paul might walk away from the option year if a longer deal for less annual money were out there. He won’t lack for suitors. Dallas, for instance, is craving a secondary ballhandler to pair next to Luka Doncic and just so happens to have about $35 million in cap room coming its way. Could the Mavs offer a three-year deal worth $110 million to lure CP3 to Texas as the third pillar of an All-Star triangle next to Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis?
A few wilder scenarios also stand out. What about a return to New Orleans, for instance? The Pelicans could get to $30 million, cap-room wise, if they let Lonzo Ball walk and use the stretch provision on Eric Bledsoe. And the Knicks, of course, will always lurk as a team willing to overpay for a star. New York needs a point guard, is firmly in win-now mode and could offer Paul his max, $124 million over three years … while still having $20 million or so left over to bring in more help.
It’s too soon to tell how well the Suns’ and their point guard’s timelines will sync up. Paul has a player option worth $44 million for 2021-22, but if his play and the team’s results both shine, he could be on the move again just as Booker, Ayton, Bridges and the rest are hitting their stride. For now, though, there’s an unmistakable sense of ownership, even pride, in Paul’s voice when he talks about the Suns’ capacity to win and build at the same time. “I’m gonna tell you something: Win or lose this game, I already know who this team is,” Paul said after Friday’s victory. “I know who every guy on this team is. I know what they’re made of. I know the kind of energy they bring … Regardless of what happens night in and night out, I know what type of team we have and what each guy represents.”
Oklahoma City Thunder star Chris Paul dismissed the idea that being stuck on a rebuilding team in OKC next season will be a problem in an interview during Game 3 of the NBA Finals Sunday night. “I just love to hoop,” Paul said while watching as a virtual fan, talking to the broadcast team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. “[Former Thunder coach] Billy Donovan was amazing. My teammates have been amazing. “So, for me, you call it twilight years, I call it a blessing. Just being able to compete at a high level at 35 years old, [I’m going to] just keep rolling.”
Chris Paul: No plans of opting out
“January was like a lifetime ago… You told Sports Illustrated at that point that you didn’t have any plans to opt out of the last year, $44 million, of your contract to seek a trade or anything like that… Where are you with that today?” Kellerman asked. Paul remained consistent. “I don’t control that… Sam Presti has been amazing this year and Oklahoma was amazing, obviously we’ll see what happens this summer or whatnot. It’s nice to be here and be close to my family. I think for me, I’m gonna let everything play out, see what happens, but I’m in a good place. I wish we could’ve kept advancing in the playoffs, but I don’t have no plans of opting out no time soon, neither.
Brandon Rahbar: “I think it’s much more likely that Chris Paul plays next season in Oklahoma City than he doesn’t. I would guess Chris Paul plays next year in OKC.” -Royce Young on the Daily Thunder Podcast
CP3 not opting out of the final year of his contract
Paul is not going to make any grand sacrifices to place himself on another superteam. When asked whether he would waive the final year of his contract—a $44.2 million option for 2021–22 that’s seen as the biggest obstacle for teams interested in acquiring him—if it meant he could be traded to a championship contender, Paul answers swiftly: “No chance. That’s not happening. Nope.”
Mark Berman: #Rockets make signing of Chris Paul (@CP3) official.
Bobby Marks: The breakdown of the $160M Chris Paul contract is: $35.6M, $38.5M, $41.4M and $44.2M. Paul is now the second highest paid point guard, only behind Steph Curry at $37.5M.
Adrian Wojnarowski: All-Star Chris Paul will sign a four-year, $160M max contract to stay with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell ESPN.
The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, are widely expected to simply focus on re-signing their free agents Paul and Clint Capela in hopes of bringing back essentially the same team that fell just one win short of an N.B.A. finals berth. They’re scarcely even mentioned anymore as a potential James destination.
Rachel Nichols: “Ain’t we beefing?” 😂 Here’s @CP3, @DMorey & Rockets CEO Tad Brown on reports there’s “tension” between them over Chris’s free agency.
Tim Bontemps: If there were doubts about the Rockets not being on the same page, a massive contingent is on hand here at the NBA Awards show — including pending free agents Trevor Ariza and Chris Paul. Positive sign toward both of them returning.
It’s only natural to wonder if James might partner with his best friend and fellow free agent in Paul, and we’ve been wondering for six months or so if that might be the case. But while the Rockets appear resigned to the fact that James won’t be coming their way, they also remain fully confident that Paul is going nowhere. When Paul pushed his way from the Clippers to the Rockets via trade last June, there was a mutual understanding about how his next contract would look. It remains to be seen if it comes in the form of a five-year, $205 million max deal – one that would have him making a whopping $46.7 million in the final year of the deal while nearing the age of 38 – but there remains a strong sense within Rockets circles that he’s staying put.
Chris Broussard: From what I’m told, there is tension now between Houston and Chris Paul. Because there was definitely some type of handshake, wink wink, “we’re going to max you out” last summer. But here’s the thing: Now, they’re not so sure. Houston, with good reason, doesn’t want to do that. But they’ve got an out, because they have new ownership. So, Daryl Morey can go to Chris Paul and be like, “I want to do it, but we’ve got the new owner doesn’t want to give you five years, four years.”
David Hardisty: According to @Adrian Wojnarowski, Chris Paul isn’t focused on his own free agency as much as he is bringing talent to Houston. “Somebody close to (Paul) said to me that he has his focus on recruiting LeBron (to Houston) as anything he’s done in this league.”
My best forecast at this juncture? Fixate on Chris Paul. If Paul stays with the Rockets, Houston becomes a dangerous player, no matter how complicated it would be for the 65-win Rockets and their general manager, Daryl Morey, to orchestrate the requisite salary-cap gymnastics to bring James in. But don’t discount the idea that James could try to bring Paul with him to a team that can afford two superstars, such as the Lakers, because he and Paul really are that close.
If Paul stays with the Rockets, Houston becomes the closest thing to a favorite on my scorecard, no matter how complicated it would be for the 65-win Rockets and their general manager, Daryl Morey, to orchestrate the requisite salary-cap gymnastics to bring James in. But don’t discount the idea that James could try to bring Paul with him to a team that can afford two superstars, such as the Lakers, because he and Paul really are that close.
Adrian Wojnarowski: “When the Rockets made that deal for Chris Paul, knowing they would re-sign him [once he hit free agency], they made a conscious decision that they were gonna have to live with [paying him] $46, $47 million a year salary when he’s not nearly the player anymore in his late 30s, but, ‘we’re gonna make a run at it now, we wanna win a championship now. We’ll deal with it [Paul’s contract] later.’ We’ll see how that plays out in their contract talks [with Paul] here in free agency. Chris Paul didn’t turn down $200 million from the Clippers because he thought that somehow the Rockets were gonna talk him into saving them luxury tax money. I don’t imagine it playing out that way.”
Lainie Fritz: “Gotta sign Chris, want to keep Clint.”- Tilman Fertitta
They are underdogs, maybe big ones, but Morey has long promised that he will go for it if he thinks Houston has even a 5 percent chance of winning a ring. He will hunt likely LeBron this summer, per league sources, and hopes to sign Paul to another long-term deal. With Clint Capela and Trevor Ariza headed toward free agency, just bringing this group back could vault Houston well into the luxury tax. Tilman Fertitta, the team’s new owner, has said he would pay the tax to preserve a contender.
“We think we have a five-year window with Chris and James,” D’Antoni says. A max deal for Paul would be a risk given his age and injury nicks, but Morey will gamble to wring everything from Harden’s prime. “It will be up to Chris,” Morey says, “but we feel good about it.”
As for how Houston could find a way to give max salary contracts starting at $35 million annually to both James (who has a player option worth $35.3 million for next season) and Paul (who will be a free agent) without the necessary cap space, Morey would indeed have to become a salary cap gymnast. The NBA salary cap is expected to be $101 million next season, and the Rockets are, well, capped out. But Morey is one of the league’s renowned risk takers, the kind of relentless executive who might already have hypothetical trades lined up for players like Ryan Anderson and others who would have to go for the Rockets to be able to sign one of the greatest players of all time in James. It’s also seen as possible that, like Kevin Durant did last summer with the Warriors, Paul could take less money to make James’ salary fit.
Kelly Iko: San Antonio, Houston, and Boston were Chris Paul’s biggest choices heading into free agency, before ultimately choosing the #Rockets.
“We’ve had high-level discussions [with Paul about his future],” Morey told The Crossover, noting that Harden’s recent $228 million extension provides a “signaling aspect” to other stars that Houston caters to its marquee players. “[Paul] hopes to continue with Houston. He likes the team, the organization and the city. In terms of him actually signing long-term, that’s something that won’t be decided until next year.”
Jerry West says his new role with the L.A. Clippers DOES NOT require him to get involved in the efforts to resign Blake Griffin and Chris Paul … telling TMZ Sports, “It’s not my responsibility.” West was playing coy when we saw him leaving Caffe Roma in Bev Hills on Tuesday — saying it’s up to other key members of the organization to bring in the players … “I’m just an adviser.”
The Houston Rockets have emerged as increasingly serious threats in the chase for soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul, according to league sources.
The Rockets still have work to do in terms of clearing sufficient salary-cap space to make a representative offer for Paul, but sources said that Houston star James Harden has been advocating hard in favor of the Paul pursuit and has made his interest in teaming with the LA Clippers’ All-Star known directly to the point guard.
The Clippers, sources say, continue to worry that they won’t be able to convince Paul to remain despite their considerable financial advantage over external suitors.
ESPN’s Marc Stein first reported that the Spurs are attempting to create salary-cap flexibility to pursue Chris Paul this summer, and a combo acquisition of the Clippers’ All-Star point guard and Iguodala has been discussed internally, sources say. The Spurs have made LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green available for trades, according to sources.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Chris Paul and his agents met with Clippers officials today, discussed future. They’ll talk again soon.
Ben Dubose: ESPN’s @ChrisBHaynes is on @SportsCenter now. His top FA storyline? Chris Paul and the #Rockets. “Serious chance of luring Chris Paul away.”
Brad Turner: Clippers guard Chris Paul has also informed the Clippers he is declining his option to become unrestricted free agent, per source
RJ Marquez: ESPN @Ramona Shelburne just said #Spurs having ‘conversations’ about possible Aldridge/Danny Green deals, SA/Chris Paul interest remains high pic.twitter.com/SJ8PZBo6n3
Ramona Shelburne: Question is, who would Spurs target in FA if they can clear space? CP3? Or Derrick Rose? They have strong interest in both.
The Houston Rockets are aggressively trying to make trades in conjunction with Thursday’s NBA draft to create the needed financial flexibility this summer to pursue a marquee free agent, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN on Wednesday that the Rockets have at least four top-tier free agents in their summer sights: Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and the LA Clippers duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Paul Garcia: As mentioned yesterday, Green’s contract would have to be moved to get into the max free agent ball park (CP3 range). twitter.com/JabariJYoung/s…
Colin Cowherd: “Is Chris Paul the priority though?” Jerry West: “Well, I’ve only been here a few days. I know how they value him, so obviously he would be a priority. Chris is one of my favorite players I’ve seen this in this league. He just plays the game, he’s an incredible defender, unbelievable competitor and everyone here is hopeful he comes back, for sure.
There’s all kinds of work to do before then, like re-signing James’ close friend/Clippers point guard Chris Paul this summer (which is still believed to be likely) and convincing five-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin to come back too (which is considered more dicey).
“Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony should have been walking arm in arm to go greet Chris Paul for free agency,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “There’s an opportunity to get Chris Paul on this market. He may stay in L.A. and part of it might be because there’s nowhere else that makes perfect sense that is worth giving up the money for, but he may go. New York should have been in the Chris Paul conversation.”
Chris Paul planning to talk with Rockets, Nuggets?
Paul also has plans to talk with the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets, one executive said. Griffin can sign a five-year deal worth $175 million with L.A., or sign a four-year deal worth $130 million with another team. The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that will make a bid for Griffin, according to several executives. “West knows he has a big task ahead of him with the Clippers,” one executive said. “But he feels as if Steve Ballmer is going to be one of the great owners in this league.”
The Clippers have recently become “nervous” about the reports that San Antonio will make a big push to get Paul and that the point guard has interest in talking to and possibly joining the Spurs, said one executive who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
The Spurs don’t do Draconian, especially when it involves franchise icons like Parker and Ginobili. Stein reported that his source believes the Spurs are all but guaranteed a face-to-face meeting with Paul, should he become a free agent, but Western Conference basketball management types aren’t losing sleep over the prospect of another conference superteam, this time based in San Antonio. “I think all that talk is nothing more than leverage,” one Western Conference basketball executive said Thursday. “Chris is just trying to make sure he can leverage Doc (Rivers). “If you’re the Clippers, don’t you have some reservations about giving him that big commitment? I know I would. So, if you’re Chris, you’ve got to create some interest out there in the league that then puts pressure on your own people to give you what you want.”
Jody Genessy: STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!! FIRE UP THE WEBSITE!!!!!!!
Alex Kennedy: Executives and players around the NBA absolutely believe Chris Paul to the Spurs is a realistic possibility. Free agency starts in 19 days.
All-Star point guard Chris Paul intends to give the San Antonio Spurs serious consideration in free agency this summer in the event he decides to leave the LA Clippers, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN that Paul, for all of his undeniable fondness for Los Angeles, is intrigued by the idea of teaming up with the likes of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Most Valuable Player top-three finalist Kawhi Leonard in his quest to achieve the deep playoff success that has eluded Paul to this point in his career.
The Spurs, sources say, are increasingly considered a lock to at least secure a face-to-face meeting with Paul when free agency begins July 1, despite the fact San Antonio would almost certainly have to sacrifice considerable roster depth to make him a representative contract offer.
The Spurs are reportedly exploring the feasibility of a massive acquisition of Paul, but the odds of the stars aligning for San Antonio reportedly aren’t realistic according to Adrian Wojnarowski, who appeared on CBS Sports Radio on Sunday with Gary Parrish to discuss where Paul might land.
“Not that I see,” Wojnarowski said of Paul’s chances of ending up with the Spurs. “I don’t know where that came from. I’ve spent a lot of time around the Spurs this spring. They would have to just tear up that entire payroll. It’s almost unlike anything the Spurs would’ve done or would do to even have a chance at him. I mean, they’d have to really gut the roster. And to do that for a 30-plus year old point guard, who has a couple great years left, there’s no question — I think there’s more pressure on the Clippers to have to re-sign him than for the Spurs to turn their whole franchise over to make a run at him.”
“Listen, Chris Paul, financially, the difference with him staying in L.A. and to get paid, I’d have a hard time imagining him leaving there,” continued Wojnarowski. “There’s so much money for him to be made and at that Los Angeles market, just in terms of his marketing endorsements, I still think they’re a pretty overwhelming favorite to re-sign him.”
October 27, 2021 | 3:37 pm EDT Update
JJ Redick joins ESPN as NBA analyst
JJ Redick is joining ESPN as an NBA analyst a month after announcing his retirement following a 15-year playing career. Redick will make his debut as a studio analyst on Nov. 3 during the game between the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks. Besides contributing to many of ESPN’s studio shows, Redick will also be an analyst on some games this season.
“After 15 years in the NBA, I am excited to take what I have learned on the court and be able to provide my insight and strong opinions about the game I love,” Redick said in a statement. “I am thrilled to have found a place on the biggest platform in sports, ESPN. I look forward to starting my post-playing career with such an incredible organization.”
Adam Zagoria: Nash said the rookies would go back and forth all season The Brooklyn Nets have recalled Day’Ron Sharpe and Cam Thomas from their NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, ahead of tonight’s game vs. the Heat at Barclays Center.
Salman Ali: Jalen Green on not attempting a free throw yet: “I understand I’m a rookie and I’m not going to get calls like that. It’s a man’s league anyways. I just have to be strong and keep playing aggressive.”
Salman Ali: Jalen Green on working with John Wall: “Yeah that’s like my big bro. He gives me a bunch of advice. When we’re at the crib, we watch film and stuff together. We break stuff down and watch games.”
Rob Schaefer: LaVine on potentially missing game(s): “I don’t want to put myself in any danger. I don’t have all the information on it yet. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow and going from there. You know me, I try to play through everything. If I’m able to, I will. If not we’ll see how it goes.”
