Report: Chris Paul Told Clippers He'd Sign With Rockets After Rivers Talks Broke Down

[RealGM Wiretap]

Chris Paul informed the Los Angeles Clippers that he was planning on signing with the Houston Rockets to join James Harden and Dwight Howard when the deal for Doc Rivers fell apart, according to a report from ESPN's Bill Simmons.

The Clippers ended negotiations with the Boston Celtics over the compensation they would send in exchange for Rivers.

The Clippers eventually reinitiated talks and send a future first round pick to the Celtics.

Paul subsequently agreed to a $107 million new contract with the Clippers.

Via Bill Simmons/ESPN

[Sam195]

Bill Simmons is making up stories. It would be impossible for the rockets to clear the necessary cap room to sign both CP3 and D12 at max-level contracts while still having Harden on the roster who already has signed his own max extension prior to last season which kicks in 2013/14. CP3 and D12 would of had to leave somewhere in the ball park of 50 million in guaranteed dollars (more like 25 million over 4 years) each to make this happen. On top of this the rockets would have to find teams willing to take jeremy lin and omer asik contracts without sending back salary to them. Asik and Lin have inflated 15 million dollar cap hits on their deals if they play on any team other than the rockets (who intially signed them to offer sheets). This way more money than what the big 3 left behind when they joined forces (roughly 15 million on six year deals), even if you consider the lack of state income taxes in florida and texas. Also it was reported earlier by more credible sources that D12's camp wanted Kobe amnestied and Nash/Gasol traded so enough cap room could be freed to sign cp3 to a max deal so he could stay in LA. Lakes rejected these overtures as well as Howard discomfort with d'antoni and he jumped ship.

[DetroitDon15]

Bill Simmons is making up stories. It would be impossible for the rockets to clear the necessary cap room to sign both CP3 and D12 at max-level contracts while still having Harden on the roster who already has signed his own max extension prior to last season which kicks in 2013/14. CP3 and D12 would of had to leave somewhere in the ball park of 50 million in guaranteed dollars (more like 25 million over 4 years) each to make this happen. On top of this the rockets would have to find teams willing to take jeremy lin and omer asik contracts without sending back salary to them. Asik and Lin have inflated 15 million dollar cap hits on their deals if they play on any team other than the rockets (who intially signed them to offer sheets). This way more money than what the big 3 left behind when they joined forces (roughly 15 million on six year deals), even if you consider the lack of state income taxes in florida and texas. Also it was reported earlier by more credible sources that D12's camp wanted Kobe amnestied and Nash/Gasol traded so enough cap room could be freed to sign cp3 to a max deal so he could stay in LA. Lakes rejected these overtures as well as Howard discomfort with d'antoni and he jumped ship.

I disagree with what you have to say about Simmons. I think that it is possible. I am not sure if I believe it or not but it is possible. The Houston Rockets have the assets to build a sign and trade for Howard while using the cap space to sign Paul as oppose to Howard. The Lakers probably would have loved to get Asik in a sign and trade type move. I think the Lakers made a terrible move to not to try a sign and trade but since the Rockets had the cap space it made no sense. While I think this might be something that is hard to believe, I think it's something that could have been possible nonetheless.

[Brovva Blaqq]

If a player ever did this to me (lets assume I was the GM/owner), I'd sign him for the max and then trade him as soon as I can to the worst possible team.

The players have to much power right now. I don't like it.

[Meatcookie]

If a player ever did this to me (lets assume I was the GM/owner), I'd sign him for the max and then trade him as soon as I can to the worst possible team.

The players have to much power right now. I don't like it.

How would you sign him for the max if he didn't want to stay on your team? And a sign and trade deal has the team he is going to in the contract. Your plan wouldn't work.

[BallerTalk]

Bill Simmons is making up stories. It would be impossible for the rockets to clear the necessary cap room to sign both CP3 and D12 at max-level contracts while still having Harden on the roster who already has signed his own max extension prior to last season which kicks in 2013/14. CP3 and D12 would of had to leave somewhere in the ball park of 50 million in guaranteed dollars (more like 25 million over 4 years) each to make this happen. On top of this the rockets would have to find teams willing to take jeremy lin and omer asik contracts without sending back salary to them. Asik and Lin have inflated 15 million dollar cap hits on their deals if they play on any team other than the rockets (who intially signed them to offer sheets). This way more money than what the big 3 left behind when they joined forces (roughly 15 million on six year deals), even if you consider the lack of state income taxes in florida and texas. Also it was reported earlier by more credible sources that D12's camp wanted Kobe amnestied and Nash/Gasol traded so enough cap room could be freed to sign cp3 to a max deal so he could stay in LA. Lakes rejected these overtures as well as Howard discomfort with d'antoni and he jumped ship.

It may have taken some maneuvering, but it was absolutely possible. It had been discussed ad nauseam leading up to July 1st. The most feasible route would have been a S&T with whichever LA team was willing to play ball, but there were other, more challenging ways to get it done.

Also it was reported earlier by more credible sources that D12's camp wanted Kobe amnestied and Nash/Gasol traded so enough cap room could be freed to sign cp3 to a max deal so he could stay in LA.

This was never reported by a "credible" source.
Additionally, your understanding of the Asik/Lin cap hit is flawed.

[15th overall]

If a player ever did this to me (lets assume I was the GM/owner), I'd sign him for the max and then trade him as soon as I can to the worst possible team.

The players have to much power right now. I don't like it.

How would you sign him for the max if he didn't want to stay on your team? And a sign and trade deal has the team he is going to in the contract. Your plan wouldn't work.

He's saying he'd trade CP3 now that he's signed.. just to screw him over for being such a needy bitch. I tend to agree.

[Sam195]

Bill Simmons is making up stories. It would be impossible for the rockets to clear the necessary cap room to sign both CP3 and D12 at max-level contracts while still having Harden on the roster who already has signed his own max extension prior to last season which kicks in 2013/14. CP3 and D12 would of had to leave somewhere in the ball park of 50 million in guaranteed dollars (more like 25 million over 4 years) each to make this happen. On top of this the rockets would have to find teams willing to take jeremy lin and omer asik contracts without sending back salary to them. Asik and Lin have inflated 15 million dollar cap hits on their deals if they play on any team other than the rockets (who intially signed them to offer sheets). This way more money than what the big 3 left behind when they joined forces (roughly 15 million on six year deals), even if you consider the lack of state income taxes in florida and texas. Also it was reported earlier by more credible sources that D12's camp wanted Kobe amnestied and Nash/Gasol traded so enough cap room could be freed to sign cp3 to a max deal so he could stay in LA. Lakes rejected these overtures as well as Howard discomfort with d'antoni and he jumped ship.

I disagree with what you have to say about Simmons. I think that it is possible. I am not sure if I believe it or not but it is possible. The Houston Rockets have the assets to build a sign and trade for Howard while using the cap space to sign Paul as oppose to Howard. The Lakers probably would have loved to get Asik in a sign and trade type move. I think the Lakers made a terrible move to not to try a sign and trade but since the Rockets had the cap space it made no sense. While I think this might be something that is hard to believe, I think it's something that could have been possible nonetheless.

Kupchak made a firm stance before Howard hit free agency that he would not facilitate any sign and trade transactions that would help Howard leave the lakers. he stood by that before and after Howard left. There were numerous reports that clippers were offering griffin an bledsoe and that the warriors were offering Bogut's expiring deal and a choice of barnes/thompson for howard. Either of these deals would be better than what houston could send along with Asik. Plus all the the teams pursuing Howard except at Atlanta were in the western conference. So helping a conference rival may bite the lakers back in the future when they can contend again. Imagine the rockets beating the lakers in the playoffs and all the media scrutiny the lakers would face. The only sign and trade scenario that would have logically made sense for both sides would have been if Howard signed a two year deal with lakers (second being a player option) waiting until the trade deadline when the trade moratorium on new contract signings expires and than requesting a trade to Brooklyn. Howard would have a right to first refusal (a no-trade clause) in his contract based on the cba's specification about how veteran players must keep their bird rights. This way lakers would have no choice but to trade him to his desired destination or let him hit free agency again in 2014. But i guess both parties avoided this option because Howard's image would take another hit, it would cause more tension between him and kobe and it also would be hard to convince melo/lebron to come to LA when Howard another star is poised to leave.

[DontHateMiami]

If a player ever did this to me (lets assume I was the GM/owner), I'd sign him for the max and then trade him as soon as I can to the worst possible team.

The players have to much power right now. I don't like it.

God forbid those that earn the team money and eyeballs can have a say in their destinations over their owner. Owner doesnt mean Slave Master. Most people can quit their jobs and go to a new one whenever they'd like, pro athletes not so much.

[6_Rings]

leverage or playing his cards

[mj_shoefanatic]

Thank you Gary Sacks!

[P3JA for 3]

If a player ever did this to me (lets assume I was the GM/owner), I'd sign him for the max and then trade him as soon as I can to the worst possible team.

The players have to much power right now. I don't like it.

How would you sign him for the max if he didn't want to stay on your team? And a sign and trade deal has the team he is going to in the contract. Your plan wouldn't work.

He's saying he'd trade CP3 now that he's signed.. just to screw him over for being such a needy bitch. I tend to agree.

You couldnt trade him til January, unless he agreed to a sign and trade. He has to live there for at least the next 5 years, and if he does not have confidence in management that they will actually surround him with pieces that fit him, then he should leave, right? Its not greed. What if Lebron was surrounded by a bunch of players who couldnt shoot? Teams would double him every play. If the heat were full of bums who werent good at shooting then maybe he would want to leave.

[alienpick]

and it also would be hard to convince melo/lebron to come to LA ....

not going to happen, stop dreaming about it

[Donnyxc]

People, read the actual article.

This is being wayyy blown up into something it's not. Simmons basically just speculated that Paul told LAC he was leaving for the Rockets. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but there is still 0 evidence of this. None even listed in Bill's article. His point was, CP3 runs the Clippers.

[Dolphin Lips]

Chris Paul is overrated-- He can play in the regular season but when its playoff time he comes up small.... Dating back to his NO Hornets days when they had Tyson Chandler and finished 2nd in the West--- He's only made it out of the 1st round twice in his career.... Id take Kyrie Irving, Russ Westbrook, D Rose, D Williams, Tony Parker, Rondo, and Damion Lilliard over him

Oh yeah and BTW--- Bill Simmons and all of ESPN besides Magic suck

[BeatDaCavs420]

Rose>>>Paul

[P3JA for 3]

Chris Paul is overrated-- He can play in the regular season but when its playoff time he comes up small.... Dating back to his NO Hornets days when they had Tyson Chandler and finished 2nd in the West--- He's only made it out of the 1st round twice in his career.... Id take Kyrie Irving, Russ Westbrook, D Rose, D Williams, Tony Parker, Rondo, and Damion Lilliard over him

Oh yeah and BTW--- Bill Simmons and all of ESPN besides Magic suck

When he had Tyson Chandler? LOL. I'm also a Knicks fan, ok. Chandler isnt a scorer, so what does that really mean. He took Spurs to 7 games, had no bench(aside from Pargo, PARGO) and guys who were just jupshooters. Peterson, David West, Peja(although he is my favorite player, lets be honest, he was just a jumpshooted in NO).

C'mon now. Again, look at the bigs he had to work with. Turiaf, Odom, D. Jordan, Hollins, and Griffin. Barnes, and Grant Hill, who didnt play. Aside from Butler, Crawford, and Griffin, he did not have much.Beldsoe is good with the ball in his hands and is an undersized SG, who cant shoot...then u have Billups, who is another PG that was undersized. It wasnt the right miz. Defense may be their problem with Reddick, Crawford there and D. Jordan not in the game in the 4th, but we will have to see.


You'd take Dwill over him? Why exactly? Both have dealt with injuries, but Paul always gets his team into the playoffs. Will has always had more talent surrounding him, and is still considered better. Put Parker on the Clippers and see what they do. The others you mentioned are all younger and more explosive so I wont argue with those. Maybe Lillard. Doesnt mean that they are better than him though.

[P3JA for 3]

Rose>>>Paul

Rose is better than Paul in only 1 thing, finishing at the basket.

[nimit]

If I was an all-star who had to deal with Vinny Del Negro as my head coach, I would demand changes too.

[Dolphin Lips]

Chris Paul is overrated-- He can play in the regular season but when its playoff time he comes up small.... Dating back to his NO Hornets days when they had Tyson Chandler and finished 2nd in the West--- He's only made it out of the 1st round twice in his career.... Id take Kyrie Irving, Russ Westbrook, D Rose, D Williams, Tony Parker, Rondo, and Damion Lilliard over him

Oh yeah and BTW--- Bill Simmons and all of ESPN besides Magic suck

When he had Tyson Chandler? LOL. I'm also a Knicks fan, ok. Chandler isnt a scorer, so what does that really mean. He took Spurs to 7 games, had no bench(aside from Pargo, PARGO) and guys who were just jupshooters. Peterson, David West, Peja(although he is my favorite player, lets be honest, he was just a jumpshooted in NO).

C'mon now. Again, look at the bigs he had to work with. Turiaf, Odom, D. Jordan, Hollins, and Griffin. Barnes, and Grant Hill, who didnt play. Aside from Butler, Crawford, and Griffin, he did not have much.Beldsoe is good with the ball in his hands and is an undersized SG, who cant shoot...then u have Billups, who is another PG that was undersized. It wasnt the right miz. Defense may be their problem with Reddick, Crawford there and D. Jordan not in the game in the 4th, but we will have to see.


You'd take Dwill over him? Why exactly? Both have dealt with injuries, but Paul always gets his team into the playoffs. Will has always had more talent surrounding him, and is still considered better. Put Parker on the Clippers and see what they do. The others you mentioned are all younger and more explosive so I wont argue with those. Maybe Lillard. Doesnt mean that they are better than him though.

D-WILL on the Jazz had worse talent around him than CP3 ever did... Who was his best player Boozer, Korver and Kirilenko??? He was dirty this year with only Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace... Im a Knick fan, and I hate to say this but the Nets with D-Will running the point will challenge the Heat---- Not saying CP3 is a scrub, I just don't care for players attitudes like that-- For example, I know this is a different sport, but I loved Victor Cruz until this off-season, now I hope the GMEN trade him for being a whinny little biatch