The first domino of the NBA offseason fell yesterday when Chris Paul decided to stay in Los Angeles with the Clippers.
“I’M IN!!!” Paul tweeted yesterday, announcing he had agreed to remain with the Clippers for the long term, and will sign a five-year, $107 million contract when the league’s moratorium ends July 10. Paul’s decision came as little surprise, as virtually everyone around the league expected him to stay put — especially after the Clippers replaced coach Vinny Del Negro with Doc Rivers last week.
With Paul officially off the board, the Clippers then moved on to trying to surround him with pieces that can help them improve on their franchise record 56-win season this past year.
According to multiple reports, the Clippers have reached out to free-agent guards O.J. Mayo and J.J. Redick, both of whom would fit well alongside Paul, but would likely require the Clippers to complete a sign-and-trade with the Mavericks or Bucks, respectively, with young point guard Eric Bledsoe — now officially a luxury item with Paul under contract for the foreseeable future — going the other way.
The Clippers also could potentially revisit previous talks for Magic shooting guard Aaron Afflalo, who would also be the kind of 3-point shooter and perimeter defender for which the Clippers — and other contenders — are looking.
* Meanwhile, the parade of teams lining up to speak with Dwight Howard — the other elite free agent available — now includes the Warriors, after Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had a brief meeting with Howard when free agency began before the All-Star center had dinner with the Rockets.
Unlike the other teams — the Rockets, Mavericks and Hawks — pursuing Howard’s signature, the Warriors would need to complete a sign-and-trade with the Lakers in order to acquire the center. It remains to be seen what the Warriors would give up in such a package, or whether the Lakers would even be willing to consider one, as they would like to have as little money on the books as possible next summer when LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and the rest of a potentially star-studded free-agent class have the opportunity to opt out of their contracts and hit the open market.
Howard, who also met with the Hawks, is also expected to meet with the Mavericks and Lakers later this week before making his decision.
* Kings restricted free agent swingman Tyreke Evans reportedly left a meeting with the Pelicans with an offer in hand of four years and $44 million. Evans, who will turn 24 in September, was the 2010 Rookie of the Year and averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season in 65 games with the Kings.
If Evans winds up signing the offer sheet from New Orleans on July 10, the Kings will have three days to match it.
The Bulls reportedly came to an agreement with free agent swingman Mike Dunleavy on a two-year deal for roughly $6 million. Dunleavy, who will be 33 next season, is coming off a season with the Bucks in which he averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting nearly 43 percent from 3-point range and providing respectable defense in a bench role.
Dunleavy’s signing likely means that Bulls free agent swingman Marco Belinelli will be in search of a new home next season.