There’s a “strong sense in Rockets circles” that Chris Paul isn’t go anywhere this offseason as a free agent, writes Sam Amick of USA Today. While a recent report from Chris Broussard of Fox Sports hinted at possible tension between Paul and the Rockets, Amick spoke to two sources with knowledge of the situation who disputed the idea that there’s any friction there.
Broussard’s report suggested that there might be a disparity between what sort of free agent contract Paul expected when he accommodated a trade to Houston last summer and what the Rockets are willing to offer now. According to Amick, there was indeed a “mutual understanding” in 2017 of what Paul’s next contract would look like, and it’s not clear if a five-year, maximum-salary agreement will be on the table. However, it seems likely that the two sides will reach an agreement, per Amick.
Here are a few more items of interest from Amick:
- When it comes to Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs seem determined to either fix the situation or trade him to an Eastern Conference team, according to Amick, who says that Western clubs inquiring on Leonard have “been told, in essence, to get lost.” We heard earlier this week that the Spurs “basically shut the door” on the Lakers when they called about Leonard.
- The Cavaliers have contacted the Spurs to ask about Leonard, but there’s no traction toward a potential deal, per Amick. San Antonio has welcomed offers for its All-Star forward, but hasn’t engaged in any trade negotiations.
- Amick is the latest reporter to suggest that there’s a real possibility of Paul George remaining with the Thunder, writing that George has strong relationships with Russell Westbrook and Billy Donovan. Interestingly, Amick adds that there’s “pessimism in [LeBron] James‘ camp” that George would leave Oklahoma City — that could work against the Lakers, who are expected to try to land both George and James.
Lebron and George would be horrible together, they both choke under pressure.
Ok if they both go to the Lakers they will be a top 3 seed in the west.
Maybe, but the Lakers have no other talent and would lose to the Warriors every playoffs.
Huh…adding 2 stars to the current Lakers roster and they can compete with anyone
LeBron chokes under pressure? I guess it’s cool In your parents basement so you’re not out playing with the other kids.
James is a professional James hater. It’s all he does 24/7
This the same guy thats supposed to be nationally objective but is so pro cavs ? If so I’m glad he finally gave up on the idea pg13 should stupidly opt in (and cost himself nearly 13 million in 2018) and demand a trade to the cavs for garbage like Tristan Thompson and Jordan Clarkson! Cavs have nothing worthwhile for thunder and pg13 has z3ro reason to opt in to go to cavs
When did Brousard ever suggest that a Paul to the Cavs trade were possible? Everything he’s ever said regarding LBJ was him going to LA, Houston, Philly or staying in Cleveland.
To me it doesn’t really make much sense that San Antonio won’t talk to WCF teams, I mean you try to get the best deal possible, & trading to the east you could still face him on the finals, though realistically San Antonio had a last hurray with those 2 finals v Miami, in the twilight of TD, but apart of that they haven’t been much relevant for the last decade & with Kawhi going, I can see that they will be an average team at the best, so don’t see how sending him to a WCF affects them, as they not Kawhi, will not be competing, so is pointless to not wanna strengthen opposition, when you won’t compete, sayonara San Antonio, they just lived off Robinson & Duncan… they never replaced them.
I think they are trying to reclaim some leverage over the situation. At the end of the day it may not work but I can’t fault them for wanting to cut off the easy route to Leonard going to LA. After them, who else has talent SA wants back? Their easiest path back to being contenders is to keep him.
I don’t know if you can say SA won’t compete either way, though. They may have had Duncan but also identified Parker, Ginobili, Leonard outside of the top ten picks and routinely took 2-3 stars and a bunch of role players to 50 wins a year.
You make it seem as if you can just “go out” and get a Duncan. There was a seemless transition from Robinson, to Duncan/Ginobli/Parker to Kawhi and the rest. It just went sour, or came to a head, when Kawhi got injured and distrust set-in. I would say they have done the best when it comes to the draft as any other team, considering they tend to draft towards the end of the 1st round.
Walker was their highest pick since Duncan. I know Indiana drafted kawhi at 15. It’s crazy how long they stayed at the top tier of the loaded west without any high picks
How? By not tolerating self-defeating things like this theme of “You gotta help us build a dynasty in LA”.
I think saying the Lakers are “expected” to get both LeBron and PG13 isn’t a great choice of wording. It’s definitely possible, but saying it’s expected seems a little strong to me.
Also, as a Cavs fan, I’d love to get Kawhi, but what do they realistically have to offer for him? Sexton, Cedi, and an expiring contract probably doesn’t even get a conversation started with San Antonio.
Agree. But I’d add to be suspicious of Kawhi. I’d like to see him play again at least close to what we’ve seen in the past. But we haven’t seen him for a long time. How in shape could he be in and what if he’s already spent both physically and mentally over this fiasco?
Again. I hope to see him play again. But one must be at least suspicious. Let’s pretend there was something the spurs would want from the Cavs? After being assured IT was good to go they found out after the trade he wasn’t and basically destroyed Cleveland’s chances at a title.
That wasn’t intentional. It’s been fixed now.
IF the Spurs trade Kawhi to any WC team, yes they would be instantly better than the Spurs. I’m waiting to hear how the Spurs are ready to compete with ANYONE if they trade him to the eastern conference.
If Kawhi has no trade exceptions, Spurs should send him (and Mills) to someone like Toronto for DMDR.
Or Orlando for J.Simmons and Vucevic (get instant starting SF and C).
Or to Atlanta for Bazemore and Collins (instant 2 guard and young PF/C to play alongside LMA)
Or Brooklyn for Crabbe and a future draft (0r two)
Or to Chicago for Omir Asik and Holiday (be an alright starting 5…. Dunn, LaVine, Kawhi, Markkanen, Lopez/Felicio)
all of these work on Trade Machine and would be ideal to just piss Kawhi off and sent to a weaker team
Trading Kawhi to Brooklyn is more than just to piss him off. It’s the ultimate middle finger lol