Chris Paul Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Los Angeles Notes: Dwight, Meeks, Clark, Clippers

May 4th, 2013 at 6:31pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The winds of change appear to be traveling in the direction of Los Angeles this summer, especially after the conclusion of a disappointing injury-riddled season for the Lakers and a first-round playoff collapse by the Clippers. Both teams will certainly have significant decisions to make this summer as they look to regroup and come back strong in 2013-14, and coincidentally, it starts with determining the futures of their respective franchise players. We've got a few rumblings to share from each camp as we inch closer to the NBA offseason:

When asked if Dwight Howard might try to force Mike D'Antoni out of Los Angeles, Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld (via Twitter) says that the soon-to-be free agent doesn't want to be involved in dictating the job security of the Lakers' coach. As for the player option of Jodie Meeks and the possibility of re-signing Earl Clark, Kyler points to the priority of determining Howard's future before taking care of anything else.
Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles hears that Chauncey Billups would like to return to the Clippers next season, adding that he's feeling as good as he's felt in two years: "I would love to be back here and continue to help in this process…I feel like we are getting closer. I definitely want to be a part of it and I'll be able to show everybody who I've always been with a summer of getting myself together, so hopefully it works out like that."
Billups also says that his goal is to play two more seasons and briefly touched upon his desire to be invovled in an NBA front office instead of coaching once his playing career is over.
Though there were hints about Grant Hill's plans to retire after this season, Markazi writes that Hill could come back for another year if he feels healthy enough. Hill is currently under contract for about $2MM for 2013-14.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles tweets that there's no truth to the rumor which suggests that Chris Paul will be leaving his agent Leon Rose for Rich Paul, who currently represents LeBron James and Clippers teammate Eric Bledsoe among others.

Chris Paul Unsure About Future

May 4th, 2013 at 6:20pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Earlier today, Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times noted that Chris Paul is currently unsure about his future, especially after the 27-year-old guard told the media: "I don't know how this whole thing's going to play out" (Twitter link). Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles expounded further on Paul's comments about his impending free agency, prefacing with a reminder that the superstar point guard passed on a three-year, $60MM contract extension last season but will be eligible for a five-year, $107MM pact this summer.

"All season long, it's something that I said I would address after the season and I really didn't think about it all during the season…The season's not even 24 hours from being over, so I really haven't thought about it. The craziest thing is that this season is over. I still haven't got that wrapped around my brain."

Markazi writes that Blake Griffin, along with other Clippers players, plan to talk to Paul about re-signing with the team. For what it's worth, he also mentions that impending free agent Matt Barnes had hinted about Paul trying to recruit him for next season, though Markazi also notes that Paul might not have been necessarily recruiting to stay in Los Angeles:

"Chris and I have already been talking about it…We talked about it on the plan last night. He's obviously the franchise player but we also talked about what I was thinking about doing. Without giving anything away, he was doing his job (in recruiting me)."

With a disappointing end to the season still fresh in his mind, the six-time All-Star further maintained that he'll need time to reflect on his situation and is in no rush to determine what lies ahead:

"I don't know. This right here was unacceptable…We lost in the first round to a good Memphis team but a team we were capable of beating. There are no moral victories … I have nothing to do. This is unreal. We only played two weeks long than everyone else that didn't make the playoffs…I'm going to take my time…I haven't even thought about it…I don't know what to do. I purposely didn't put anything on my calendar because we're supposed to still be playing."

Hawks Rumors: Drew, Dwight, CP3, Josh Smith

May 4th, 2013 at 1:38pm CST by Chuck Myron

Last night's loss ushered in an offseason of probable change in Atlanta. Only three Hawks are under fully guaranteed contracts for next season, and the team's long list of free agents includes coach Larry Drew. Speculation that Drew was on his way out of Atlanta began almost as soon as GM Danny Ferry took over the team's front office last summer, but the coach's job appears safe for the moment. The Hawks say they'll hold off on personnel decisions for a few days, tweets Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In the meantime, here's the latest from the Highlight Factory:

It's not far-fetched that the Hawks could wind up with both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul this summer, as some league executives who spoke to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio believe (Twitter link). Still, they'd have to turn down about $30MM each to join forces in Atlanta.
Overpaying to re-sign Josh Smith, just as the Hawks did with Joe Johnson, won't make the team any more popular in Atlanta, opines Jacob Eisenberg of SheridanHoops.com.
Still, the Atlanta market is appealing to players in spite of the Hawks' lack of cachet and fan support, says Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, who believes Kyle Korver might be a fit with the Raptors (Twitter links).

Clippers Notes: Billups, Paul, Howard, Griffin

May 4th, 2013 at 10:40am CST by Zachary Links

The Clippers are going to wait a little while before deciding what to do with coach Vinny Del Negro but its not too early for some to start speculating on possible replacements. Phil Jackson is unlikely for a number of reasons, but Ric Bucher of 95.7 The Game (on Sulia) has an equally eyebrow-raising idea for L.A.'s other team: Chauncey Billups. One NBA exec suggested that hiring the veteran guard to man the sideline would maximize the club's chances of re-signing star Chris Paul. Bucher doesn't know if Billups is going to retire or is even interested in becoming a coach, but he notes that the consensus around the NBA is that the Clips' early exit is almost certain to cost Del Negro his job. Here's more on the Clippers..

With about $45MM on the books next year, the Clippers would have to move someone to re-sign Paul and make a run at Dwight Howard, but there's always a way, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Clippers, like everyone else, doubt that Howard would leave money on the table to leave the Lakers, but they can make a nice pitch if he's willing to talk. One way to free up space could be by moving DeAndre Jordan, who has lots of fans in front offices around the league (Twitter links).
Blake Griffin sounded confident that Paul will re-sign with the club in his post-game comments after last night's loss. "He knows how we've done things, especially the last two years. I think he knows it's a great place to play," said the forward, according to Shelburne (on Twitter).
While the free agent focus will be on Chris Paul, Matt Barnes is going to get paid this summer as well, notes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter). The veteran capped off his season with a 30 point and 10 rebound performance last night.

Kyler On Paul, Teague, Jack, Billups, Bledsoe

April 22nd, 2013 at 12:33pm CST by Luke Adams

In his latest NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler focuses on the playoff point guards that may be heading for free agency once their respective seasons end. Kyler has tidbits on those players, as well as notes on Eric Bledsoe and Phil Jackson, so let's check out the highlights:

Chris Paul is essentially a lock to re-sign with the Clippers and he'll have a "tremendous amount of input" in the team's roster moves and overall direction.
The Hawks will extend a qualifying offer to Jeff Teague, and while the club plans to keep its options open, it's unlikely that Teague will end up leaving Atlanta.
Jerryd Bayless is expected to decline his player option in search of a longer-term contract.
There's mutual interest in a new deal between Jarrett Jack and the Warriors, and the team will have Jack's Bird Rights, but the Warriors figure to be well into the tax unless they can make a cost-cutting move or two, which could complicate negotiations.
If Chauncey Billups doesn't return to the Clippers, retirement is more likely for him than signing with another club.
The Bucks will definitely match almost any offer sheet signed by Brandon Jennings, though if he receives the max from a rival suitor, Milwaukee will "have to seriously look at that."
While Bledsoe is expected to be an offseason trade candidate, Clippers sources are adamant that they don't need to make a decision on Bledsoe until the summer of 2014, or at least next year's trade deadline.
With a handful of head coaching jobs already opened up, Jackson's name will pop up frequently in the next several weeks, but Kyler hears that the odds of the 11-time champion accepting a coaching job aren't great.

Pacific Notes: Paul, Clippers, Kings, Jackson

April 21st, 2013 at 5:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Chris Paul has kept mum on his future so far, but he may have dropped some very telling hints when speaking to reporters this afternoon. The Clippers star remarked that guard Eric Bledsoe is likely going to wind up elsewhere next year because the club won't have enough money to sign him, tweets Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The way that Paul spoke of Bledsoe's future leads Markazi to believe (link) that Paul intends on staying in L.A. for the long-term. It's also worth noting that Bledsoe isn't a free agent this summer – he's under contract next season for $2.6MM. However, the Clippers are expected to shop him when/if Paul re-signs (link). Here's more out of the Pacific..

An NBA owner expressed his doubts to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com about Sacramento's bid for the Kings, saying, "The check's in the mail, and that's not good enough. The check's got to arrive." Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson nonetheless believes most owners were "blown away" by the competitiveness of the city's offer, as well as the fast pace at which its come together.
Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News (on Twitter) notes that the three-year, $28MM extension that Stephen Jackson signed with the Warriors is just expiring now after four trades and one release.
Ike Diogu began the season in training camp with the Suns and played 41 games with the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China. Now, he's headed to Puerto Rico to play with Leones de Ponce, Sportando's Emiliano Carchia reports.

Pacific Links: Paul, Hunter, Nash, Assistants

April 19th, 2013 at 9:21pm CST by Chuck Myron

Three Pacific Division teams are preparing for the playoffs this weekend, while the other two have May 21st, the date of the draft lottery, circled on their calendars. By the end of that night, the Kings will know which pick they'll have in the first round, and apparently which city they'll be playing in next year, too, according to comments David Stern made today. We've been keeping close tabs on Kings developments, and there's news involving the other four teams in the division as well.

A source close to Chris Paul tells HoopsWorld's Bill Ingram that there's no way CP3 will leave the Clippers (Twitter link). That's in keeping with the signals Paul's camp has been putting out all season.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports unveils his final power rankings of the 2012/13 season, and in so doing passes along news that the Suns are thinking about keeping interim coach Lindsey Hunter, according to a source.
Steve Nash has endured a season of injuries and dished out his fewest assists per game since 1999/00, but he's giving no thought to retirement, notes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Sulia link).
From conversations with general managers, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports gleans the names of four assistant coaches who appear to be top candidates to wind up as head coaches (Twitter link). Three have Pacific Division ties: Michael Malone of the Warriors, Steve Clifford of the Lakers, and former Lakers assistant Quin Snyder, who's now an assistant in Russia with CSKA Moscow. The other name on Wojnarowski's list is Kelvin Sampson, who temporarily took over head coaching duties for the Rockets this season while Kevin McHale tended to his ailing daughter.

Brigham On Future Contenders

February 23rd, 2013 at 10:13am CST by Sean Highkin

Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld has a new column examining which teams have a chance to be title contenders five seasons from now, taking into account possible moves in free agency and the ages of the teams' core players.

Brigham believes the Thunder still have the brightest future, given that Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka will all be under 30 in five seasons.
LeBron James' free agency will play a major role in determining the next title contender, Brigham writes. The health and effectiveness of Dwyane Wade will determine whether James stays with the Heat, but the Cavaliers and Lakers are also possible destinations.
On that note, Brigham writes that, although Kyrie Irving is blossoming into a superstar, the Cavs will not be a contender unless James signs in Cleveland.
The Bulls will still be contenders if Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah stay healthy, Brigham writes. He also notes that Nikola Mirotic will have come over to the NBA by then.
The trade for Thomas Robinson added another young piece to the James Harden/Jeremy Lin core the Rockets have built, Brigham writes. Additionally, the team is still well under the cap and can add another high-level player via free agency.
Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge give the Blazers a solid core to build around, writes Brigham.
Brigham writes that there will be uncertainty every year for the next five as to whether Chris Paul will still be with the Clippers.
Even if Stephen Curry's ankles don't hold up, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes give the Warriors a good young core, Brigham says.
Brigham writes that the Pacers have excellent cornerstone players in Roy Hibbert and Paul George.

Odds & Ends: Dell Demps, Chris Paul, Mark Cuban

February 22nd, 2013 at 10:44pm CST by Daniel Seco

Here's the latest news and headlines from around the league with a weekend chock full of games awaiting…

Hornets GM Dell Demps says not making a trade at the deadline stems from his belief in his core players even if they struggle to accumulate wins, says Terrance Harris of The Times-Picayune. Demps was presented with a variety of different offers but none of them made sense for his team's future.
Clippers point guard Chris Paul believes his team is capable of winning a championship even without making a splash at the trade deadline, writes Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. “Let me tell you right now,” he said. “If I didn’t feel like it was, I wouldn’t be playing. I don’t play just for fun. We’re playing to win a championship.”
Mavs owner Mark Cuban made comments on Friday insinuating that the Lakers should consider using their amnesty clause to rid themselves of Kobe Bryant's contract for next season. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (via Twitter) points out Bryant's brand value means even more to the Lakers than his contributions on the court and that Cuban would never amnesty a player like the Black Mamba for that reason.

Los Angeles Rumors: Paul, Clips, Howard, Lakers

February 18th, 2013 at 8:40am CST by Luke Adams

Clippers and Lakers stars led the way for the Western Conference last night in Houston, as Chris Paul's 20 points and 15 assists earned him MVP honors, while Kobe Bryant's late-game defense helped secure the West's victory. But with All-Star weekend behind us and the trade deadline looming, there's plenty of off-court intrigue to follow in Los Angeles, and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has the latest updates on the city's two teams….

Paul is "planning to re-sign" with the Clippers this summer, according to Wojnarowski.
The All-Star point guard is also expected to continue to have final say about any move the franchise makes. As one of Wojnarowski's sources puts it: "If Chris wants Vinny [Del Negro], he'll be the coach. If Chris wants [Kevin Garnett], they'll push harder for it."
Rival teams are still calling the Lakers about Dwight Howard, despite Mitch Kupchak's public and private insistences that D12 won't be moved. When rumors surfaced recently suggesting that the club could be engaged in talks, Kupchak told Howard to pay them no mind.
One rival GM on the Lakers' stance with Howard: "They're too arrogant to move him now, even if Dwight asked for it. They're the Lakers, and they'll dare you to walk away in July. And if I was them, I would, too."
Asked about Howard's situation at All-Star weekend, Bryant was fairly indifferent, telling reporters, "I don't know what [the Lakers' front office is] going to do. At this point, it doesn't matter."
According to Wojnarowski, Howard has come to realize that winning needs to be his top priority in free agency, rather than marketing potential or geography. He'll weigh all his options thoroughly in July.