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Amid the frenzy caused by Wednesday's trade that sent Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets, rumors ensued regarding the reason the team suddenly began an overhaul of its roster.
Moments after the trade was announced, reports surfaced that there was tension between Paul and head coach Doc Rivers regarding roster upgrades at the expense of his son, Austin Rivers.
While Paul never confirmed this to be the case, the younger Rivers denied it altogether. It is a possible scenario, however, the Clippers turned the focus to financial flexibility and future prudence.
Would they commit to paying Paul a $201 million max contract that would net him nearly $45 million at the age of 37?
Just to give you an idea, that would be nearly double the contract Kobe Bryant received in his last year with the Lakers.
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Their answer was a resounding no, serving as the biggest catalyst to move in another direction.
From David Aldridge and Ramona Shelburne:
Clips, unwilling to give CP3 nearly $45M at age 37 in the last year of a near $200M max deal, cut losses & agreed to (pending) deal w/Rox.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 28, 2017
Big Detail: The Clippers had not yet committed to give Chris Paul the full five-year max contract of $201 million.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
There was still strong internal debate on whether the team should pay $45 million in the final year of a deal to a 37-year-old player.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2017
While new team consultant Jerry West was not a part of the meetings and decision process, it's hard to see him agreeing to pay any player that much money at that age. No matter if this was truly a personal matter or a business decision, the Clippers will be a different team forever without CP3.
