Chris Paul is considered unlikely to leave the Rockets in free agency this summer, but an agreement between the two sides may not be a done deal quite yet. According to Chris Broussard of Fox Sports (video link), there might be a little “tension” between Paul and the Rockets.
As Broussard explains, it’s widely believed that there was a mutual understanding between Paul and the Rockets last summer that the team would give him a long-term, maximum-salary contract in 2018 after he passed up on free agency in 2017 to accommodate a trade to Houston. Now, it’s not clear if the Rockets will be willing to invest on a four- or five-year max deal for CP3.
The Rockets’ new ownership could play a role in the situation too, according to Broussard, who notes that Tilman Fertitta bought the franchise from Leslie Alexander after the team acquired Paul last summer. If Houston doesn’t put a long-term max offer on the table for Paul, the club could point to that ownership change as one reason why, Broussard suggests.
While it’s possible that the Rockets and Paul may not be on entirely the same page when it comes to his next contract, I’d be surprised if the two sides don’t get there within the next week or two. After all, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported just a few days ago that Paul was expected to return to Houston and was focusing more on LeBron James‘ free agency than his own.
The situation is somewhat reminiscent of Jrue Holiday‘s and Kyle Lowry‘s free agencies last year. In those cases, neither star point guard got a true maximum-salary contract, but they both got massive near-max deals from their previous teams, who had the ability to offer them more years and higher raises than any rival suitor. I’d anticipate a similar arrangement for Paul and the Rockets.
Paul and LeBron in LA??????
I feel Paul wants out of Houston to go to a better situation. Chris Paul Lebron in LA. Paul George comes in a sign and trade with OKC the thrt something. Lakers overpay for Kawhi.
A better situation than the No. 1 seed in the West and probably WCF and NBA champs if he doesn’t get hurt? Makes sense.
Paul and LeBron in Houston. The Lakers get the Ball brothers and their dad forever and ever and like it.
You guys can barely afford the team you have let alone lebron. Your team cant get any bettter lol
Fake News
Lowry got 3 years/$90 million at age 31. Chris Paul at age 33 is worth at least a 4 year max, and at least close to the 5 year max. Only reason not to give him the max is his recent health and probably that last year, but he 100% is still arguably the best 2 way PG in the league. If his 5 year max is $205 million, I think he should at least get $175-180 million from Houston. It’s not like his contract is what precludes them from having cap space. That James Harden super max is a joke, Ryan Anderson is massively overpaid. Ariza wants big money. They’ll be in the tax regardless over these next few years if they’re trying to compete. They cant lose their best player over money they wouldn’t even be able to use on someone else
Also, Houston fans seem fine with veteran stars … unlike some fans in Philly & LA & annoyingly enough, even Cleveland, who want to indulge youngsters & fresh faces.
Not to overnotice @ldfanatic, but Houston fans seem to like the simple joys of winning and the present moment, more than just the potential of same. There’s a La brea tar pit waiting in LA that Paul got out of and James seems to be wading in to.
Not that Houston is such an attraction. It won’t be hard for James to return from it. Part of the plan!
Thanks for the shout out.
No offense to Houston, an air-conditioning leader among Southern cities.
Been the #1 seed in the WCF means nothing when you don’t win the championship, #2 was better got the ring. CP3 is the difference, without him last year you were mediocre at best, with him almost beat GSW, so he really can go anywhere he doesn’t need to be in Houston to compete, but Houston can’t compete without him. If he goes, LBJ don’t come & then you mediocre again, so respect the man, give him his money, mortgage the house… whatever it takes for Mr Fertitta. CP3 ain’t the problem, fans should ask why did they sign Anderson to that contract? Houston’s mess not CP3’s. I hope he gets his max & doesn’t leave a cent on the table, don’t like when superstars take pay cuts, & then you see bums taking massive overpays.
I think the years are more the concern than the dollar amount.
Nothing can be done about existing contracts of other players, and they (or blame for them) play no part in resolving the situation going forward.
I’m a big fan of CP3 and Harden, and certainly having CP3 helped lift last year’s team. But, honestly, it wasn’t always the best fit. That said, if there’s an agreement, each side should honor it, but that doesn’t mean they can’t mutually resolve the issue otherwise. Paul may not want to stay without LeBron coming. Houston may be fine with that. I’m not sure anyone would be wise to give Paul 4 years starting at 35 mm right now, unless LeBron is going to come as a result.
I wonder if the Laker Big 3 will be James, Paul and Randle. Paul can work with Ball, who James has complimented, like he did with Harden. With only 2 major players added, no need to chuck the existing LAL team that locals like. Presumably Bird rights for Lopez, Pope, Frye, even IT.