Clippers Notes: Paul, Rivers, Rebuild

Chris Paul, who was traded from the Clippers to the Rockets in the offseason, is preparing for his return to Staples Center on Sunday when Houston faces the Lakers. While the atmosphere will be different, with mostly Lakers fans in attendance, Paul is still returning to the city he called home for six seasons.

While Paul plays for a different team, he still keeps in touch with former teammates, particularly Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, Sam Amick of USA Today Sports writes. Jordan has been in the news as a possible trade candidate due to the Clippers’ poor play knocking the team out of playoff contention in the Western Conference. Whatever happens with Jordan’s career, Paul is clear that he will remain close friends with 29-year-old center.

“I talk to DJ just about every day,” Paul said to USA TODAY Sports. “(About) everything. Life, hoop, everything. But I talk to him just about every day. Seriously … I always wish (the Clippers) the best, but for me – DeAndre, I talk to DJ literally about every day. And Jasen Powell, who’s the head trainer, I talk to him almost every day too.”

Check out other news surrounding the Clippers below:

• Clippers’ guard Austin Rivers was fined $25,000 for swearing at a fan during the team’s Thursday night loss to the Jazz, the NBA announced on Saturday, per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
• The MCL injury to Blake Griffin compounded the Clippers’ struggles and it is just the latest string in bad luck for the team, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune writes. Current Timberwolves guard and former Clippers standout Jamal Crawford chalked up the Clippers’ rough stretches to one thing:“It was just sometimes bad timing,” he said. “I remember, just bad timing.”
• After a rash of injuries and poor play, it’s time for the Clippers to start the rebuilding process, Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders opines. Hamilton notes that the Clippers have a $119MM payroll committed and most of the team’s best players are currently injured. If the team wants to clear space and put forth a capable team, now is the time to do it, he adds.