NBA Free Agents: Chris Paul Signs $107 Million Max Deal with the Clippers
NBA free agent and star point guard, Chris Paul, will reportedly sign a max contract deal with the Los Angeles Clippers after a verbal agreement on Monday.
According to Yahoo Sports, Paul agreed to a deal around noon on Monday that could land him $107 million over the next five years, with an option of opting out in the fourth year. He is eligible for this deal starting July 10.
Many online sports sources reported that Paul had interest teaming up with fellow free agent Dwight Howard on either the Atlanta Hawks or another contender, but Yahoo reports Paul's desire to stay in Los Angeles.
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The Clippers brought in coach Doc Rivers who had great success over the last decade with the Boston Celtics, and also in hopes of bringing in future hall of fame player Kevin Garnett. However, the center/power forward went to the Brooklyn Nets.
The ball club will now put their hopes in the hands of Paul with the young and electrifying Blake Griffin, and Center DeAndre Jordan who has the potential to develop into a premium big man.
After winning 56 games last year, the only move the Clippers made to improve the team was bringing in a great head coach, so the rest of the pieces need to be filled in.
Paul is the first big signing of the NBA offseason, however, there have been a number of large trades.
The Brooklyn Nets acquired Garnet and fellow future of hall of fame player Paul Pierce to create a starting five consisting of five all-stars and a Sixth Man of the Year off the bench, Jason Terry.
The New York Knicks are also in the process of completing a trade with the Toronto Raptors.
The Knicks will send forward Steve Novak, veteran Center Marcus Camby, and small forward Quentin Richardson along with three future draft picks to the Raptors in exchange for 2006 first round pick, center Andrea Bargnani.
The deal was close to finalization Sunday evening, but the two sides could not come to terms with the deal as salary adjustments would have to be made, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Bargnani has two years and is owed $22 million on his contract, and has often been injured or plagued with inconsistent play throughout his career. When healthy, he is a seven-footer with a deadly three-point touch and shoots a high percentage in free throws and field goals.
