NBA rumors: Rockets owner expresses regret over Chris Paul's contract

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On May 10, the Houston Rockets' season came to an end with a home loss to the Warriors in Game 6 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Since then, things have seemed to get progressively worse.

And on Monday morning, ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote a feature titled "There's too much damn turmoil: An unsettling vibe surrounds these Rockets."

It lays out everything that is going on behind the scenes -- some of which has previously been reported and some of which was just brought to light.

Here's one new piece of information involving point guard Chris Paul and owner Tilman Fertitta:

Houston was pushed close to the tax limit last summer by re-signing Paul to a four-year, $160 million max deal and Capela to a relative bargain contract worth $80 million plus incentives over five years. (Fertitta has grumbled about Paul's contract, expressing regret to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives, according to league sources.)

It's no wonder CP3 reportedly is on the trade block. But it's not going to make it any easier to ship the 34-year-old out of town if your owner is acknowledging the contract will be very difficult to trade.

Paul has three more seasons remaining on his deal:

--2019-20 = $38,506,482
--2020-21 = $41,358,814
--2021-22 = $44,211,146 (player option that will assuredly be exercised)

Good luck with that one, general manager Daryl Morey.

Here's one other nugget as it relates to Paul, but this time it involves superstar James Harden:

Paul pushed for more plays and sets in the Houston offense, more screening and deception, despite Harden being in the process of putting together a historically dominant individual offensive season.

"Chris wants to coach James," says a source familiar with the stars' dynamic. "James looks at him like, 'You can't even beat your man. Just shut up and watch me.'"

This is ... not good for the Rockets.

With Warriors stars Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson injured and entering unrestricted free agency, it will be very interesting to see what approach Houston takes this summer.

[RELATEDBoogie thanks Dubs fans, sends message about next season]

Will the Rockets blow things up or go all in one more time?

You should probably bet on the latter.

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