Report: Paul accepts $107 million deal from Clippers
Scratch Chris Paul from the list of marquee NBA free agents this summer.
Shortly after the start of free agency, the point guard and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to terms on a five-year, $107 million contract, ESPNLosAngeles.com reported Monday.
Paul can't sign his new contract until July 10 but could agree to terms as of 12:01 a.m. ET. His agent, Leon Rose, confirmed the signing, according to the report.
"I'm in. ClipperNation," Paul tweeted.
Paul's representatives reportedly informed teams hoping to possibly attract the All-Star that he would re-sign with the Clippers, ESPN reported Saturday night.
Reports in the past few weeks indicated that Paul's chances of leaving the Clippers were slight, but there were rumors linking him to a possible move with Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, another free agent, to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Clippers brought in Doc Rivers as coach last week to replace Vinny Del Negro, apparently to appease Paul, who has received public blame for forcing Del Negro's departure.
Paul, 28, completed his second season with the Clippers averaging 16.9 points and 9.7 assists in 70 regular-season games. The season came to a disappointing end when the Clippers were eliminated from the Western Conference playoffs in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Over eight NBA seasons, the first six with the New Orleans Hornets, Paul has career averages of 18.6 points, 9.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals.
