Report: Austin Rivers played major role in Chris Paul losing faith in Doc

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Before the Clippers and Rockets reportedly agreed to a trade that will send Chris Paul to Houston, the nine-time All-Star informed the Clippers he was going to leave in free agency.

Why didn't Paul want to stay in Los Angeles?

He lost trust and faith in Doc Rivers, according to ESPN's Michael Eaves.

But why?

According to Eaves, "Paul's relationship with Doc Rivers started to deteriorate rapidly after the Clippers acquired Austin Rivers."

[RELATED: Report: Relationship between Jerry West, Warriors 'got a little messy at the end']

Austin -- Doc's son -- was acquired in January 2015.

Last summer, Austin signed a 3-year, $35 million deal to return to the Clippers.

As Eaves detailed:

"What really solidified Paul's dissatisfaction with Doc was a proposed trade involving Carmelo Anthony last season. New York offered Carmelo and Sasha Vujacic to the Clippers in exchange for Jamal Crawford, Paul Pierce and Austin Rivers, a deal to which Rivers ultimately said no.

"That event led Paul to feel that keeping his son on the roster was more important to Doc than improving the team. So, ultimately, Paul lost both trust and faith in Doc. As one league executive put it, 'Chris despises Doc.'"

Doc Rivers is both the Clippers' head coach and president of basketball operations.

With Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick entering unrestricted free agency, and DeAndre Jordan having the ability to opt out next summer, it appears the Clippers could be a completely different team in the near future...

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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