Chris Paul didn’t like Clippers owner Donald Sterling insinuating Paul had Vinny Del Negro had fired.
Then Paul asked the Clippers to acquire Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, which probably isn’t happening (though I won’t rule it out until the Clippers hire a coach or Rivers directly announces his intentions to coach Boston next season).
How do you think Paul is taking it?
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:
Free-agent star Chris Paul pushed the Clippers to hire Rivers as coach, but will have to settle for Lionel Hollins, Brian Shaw or Byron Scott if he plans to re-sign with Los Angeles in July. Paul is unhappy with the fallout over the failed deal, sources told Yahoo! Sports on Friday night.
And the Clippers will happily oblige Paul’s requests in order to keep him. He’s just that valuable.
But I don’t think we’re near the point where Paul’s displeasure really matters. Where else is he going to go? The Rockets or Mavericks might be appealing, but Los Angeles can still offer the most money, the most exposure and a roster he helped build.
There’s obviously a breaking point somewhere for Paul, but I think the camel’s back can hold plenty more straw.
This failed attempt to land Rivers and Garnett (if it really has failed) might turn out to be a blessing in disguise, anyway. The Clippers can make better use of their draft picks, either keeping them or trading them, and they can spend the money they’ll save by hiring Hollins, Shaw or Scott instead of Rivers in other ways.
In a vacuum, this was a bad trade for the Clippers. The biggest positive was appeasing Paul, and although it would have been worth it for that reason alone, they weren’t necessarily getting a better coach than their other options or a dependable replacement for DeAndre Jordan. As much as I’ve loved watching Garnett play and respect his game, 37-year-old big men with 18 years experience can no long be counted on.
The Clippers have walked far enough down this road with Paul that, if they have a chance to acquire Rivers and Garnett, they must take it. But if the NBA, Rivers and/or Boston prevents it from happening, it’s really no disaster – as long as Paul re-signs.
