CP3 and Clippers

[BallSoHard]

What if Kobe and Nash both retire from the Lakers? I knwo itys a logn shot for both of those to happen, but Kobe has been talking about retirement for years, and turmoil at the Lakers may push him over the edge. If that happens, they will have some money to spend. How much better would Dwight Howard be with CP3 feeding him?

Kobe has said clearly is coming back.

[LoCo89]

In my opinion CP3 only has 2 options, resign with the Clippers or return where it all started. Any other place, makes him look bad.

2 questions about this (not antagonizing you personally, you're not the only one that feels this way and I don't understand it):

1) How does this make him look bad?

2) Does it matter if it makes him look bad?

[JJackisangry]

Chris should resign with the Clippers because its the right thing to do (they can offer him the most money, and they traded alot to get him). The smart thing to do is look fo a team that can contend within the next three years (Nola, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta). Like Mcnamara said: "he is a hyprocrit if he resigns with the Clippers." They just dont have any true stars besides himself, so a title is almost out of the question if he stays.

[GeauxPelicans]

I think the only way we get Bledsoe is if Paul stays. I can see Paul going to either new york,okc, mia, or Lakers. He will take a paycut to contend.

LOL, wow, do you realize the pay cut he would have to take to sign with any if these teams? It'd be over 10 million a year. Get real man

[GeauxPelicans]

Chris should resign with the Clippers because its the right thing to do (they can offer him the most money, and they traded alot to get him). The smart thing to do is look fo a team that can contend within the next three years (Nola, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta). Like Mcnamara said: "he is a hyprocrit if he resigns with the Clippers." They just dont have any true stars besides himself, so a title is almost out of the question if he stays.

Do you really think Paul cares if people think he's a hypocrit? No, he's not winning a championship with Blake Griffin as his second option, but LA is a huge market and they can offer him the most money. I'm predicting he resigns and Byron Scott is their coach next year

[nolaslim213]

I could see him taking a "pay cut" in the form of getting the max from a team not named LAC. He'd lose a few million a year, but it's not going to make or break him. He is still getting the max, but you can get more if you re-sign with your team. There's no way he signs for the veteran min though. That's just crazy talk.

[BallSoHard]

I could see him taking a "pay cut" in the form of getting the max from a team not named LAC. He'd lose a few million a year, but it's not going to make or break him. He is still getting the max, but you can get more if you re-sign with your team. There's no way he signs for the veteran min though. That's just crazy talk.

Right pay cut as in instead of 120 million 115 Million

[B504ever]

2 questions about this (not antagonizing you personally, you're not the only one that feels this way and I don't understand it):

1) How does this make him look bad?

2) Does it matter if it makes him look bad?

It would make him look like a quitter, like when things dont go as plan he will jump ship instead of going down fighting. He would be viewed as someone that would rather take the easy route than finish what they started.

Does it matter? From a marketing stand point, it kind of does. But not really, if anything it would bother him the most.

[BallSoHard]

It would make him look like a quitter, like when things dont go as plan he will jump ship instead of going down fighting. He would be viewed as someone that would rather take the easy route than finish what they started.

Does it matter? From a marketing stand point, it kind of does. But not really, if anything it would bother him the most.

A quitter like Lebron, who's now viewed as a winner and is being compared to MJ. People forget how fickle people are. Winning cures all in 'Merica. If he leaves it needs to be a wise bet.

[B504ever]

But Lebron only switched teams once. For Chris it would be his second time.

[BallSoHard]

But Lebron only switched teams once. For Chris it would be his second time.

So? You really think if he leaves and wins a championship anyone's going to care that it was 2 instead of 1?

[B504ever]

So? You really think if he leaves and wins a championship anyone's going to care that it was 2 instead of 1?

Like I said, if anything it would bother him the most.

[cki3915]

Even if the Lakers amnesty Kobe, why would Nash walk away from $19 million? But even if that happens there is still about a $20 million cap hold in place for Dwight. They'd need to amnesty Kobe, have Nash retire and find a team with cap space that would take Gasol without sending much back. I don't see the Lakers as an option.

Because Nash is a guy who is old and hurt and he has plenty of interests outside basketball. This season had to be a bad one for him personally. He doesn't come across to me as a guy who will hang on just for a $19 Million paycheck. (yes that sounds weird but Nash's brain works on a different wavelength from the rest of the world)

The Lakers are not going to amnesty Kobe.

Let's say Kobe hangs on, but Nash retires and they amnesty Pau. Correct me if i'm wrong, but Howard is also a FA. Is there a way that the Lakers can sign both Howard and CP3 and not have to face a tax?

Or, what if Dwight signs elsewhere? All indications say he wants to be a Laker, but who knows with that guy. They could definately afford CP3 then, and you would have to think that in the long run, the Lakers will be better than the Clippers and more attractive for CP3 if he wants to be in LA.

[BallSoHard]

Salary cap this year is $58 Million. They'd be at $49 Million STILL with all of that happening (which is a stretch). The only way it becomes viable is for whatever reason Artest does not accept his 7.2 player option (He won't). Also Nash said he's coming back next year in his interview.

[BP225]

The Lakers are not going to amnesty Kobe.

That's the only way they get his $30 million off the books because he's not going to spend a year rehabbing for free when he could spend it getting $30 million. You have the cap hold for Dwight and Gasol adding up to about $40 million on its own and then you have guys like Ron Artest, Blake, Duhon, and hill adding another $19 million which puts them at the cap. The Lakers just have no room to maneuver. CP3 to NOLA is pretty unlikely but it's still much more likely than CP3 to the Lakers.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

The Rockets will owe both Asik and Lin 15M each in 2014/15.
I cant see any team taking either of them for that money.

No way Houston can afford CP3, Howard, Lin, Asik and Harden!!!!

Just no way.

[BP225]

The Rockets will owe both Asik and Lin 15M each in 2014/15.

Their cap figure is different. They were signed to Poison Pill contracts using the Arenas provision so the cap hit to the Rockets is the average of the contract $8/$8/$8 not $5/$5/$14.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Their cap figure is different. They were signed to Poison Pill contracts using the Arenas provision so the cap hit to the Rockets is the average of the contract $8/$8/$8 not $5/$5/$14.

Oh....cool good to know.

Thanks

[smittywerb]

Chris wants to compete, and like most superstars nowadays, will take a paycut and make up the money in endorsements.

I can see the Clippers, Rockets, Mavs, and Harwks being the teams leading the charge for CP3...and D12.

Clippers: Can offer him the most money and total control over roster (similar to what he did this year). LA is the best market out of the group but the ceiling for this team is limited. BG hasn't made that jump yet and the team looks to doesn't have the best supporting cast that compliments CP's talents.

Rockets: Has the space and assets to acquire BOTH CP3 and D12. Would instantly become a title contender.

Mavs: Similar to Rockets but would have an owner with deep pockets and would be willing to do whatever to give CP3/Nowitzski/D12 the best supporting cast. Again, instant title contenders. Might be the best pick for competitiveness because CP3, Witz, and D12 all compliment each other very well.

Hawks: May be able to pull of a Heat move and sign Josh Smith, CP3, and Dwight all at once and fill in the roster with vet mins.

IMHO, I think CP3 is tired of playing it "the traditional way" and is realizing that in this time and day of NBA, teaming is the best option for getting a ring. CP3 competitiveness will finally take over his pride and he will form his own big 3 in Atlanta.

But who knows, anything could happen.

[DiMaggio dunks]

I wouldn't be scared of any team with Dwight Howard. Come on

CP3 will probably end up in NY. Houston's a good team, but those guys don't care about logic, just what they want to do. Howard probably still wants to go to Brooklyn

[bradael]

Knicks have 75 million against the cap next year. They can't afford him.

Only legit possibilities other than Clippers are Hawks and Mavs, and those two probably only happen if Howard goes. He could go to a team like the Rockets too, but they don't have the space for both of them.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Atlanta in my opinion is the best scenario for both CP3 and Howard if they want to win a Championship NOW.
They would clearly be the second best team in the East and have an easier run to the Final than either Dallas, Houston or the Lakers.

For example if they sign Smith for 13M, CP3 and Howard for 15M each for the 2013/14 season - Total 43M

Say they retain the other players they still have on the roster for season 2013/14 except their QO players Teague and Johnson:
They could do a sign and trade to fill the gaps with those two players they lose to free agency.

2013/14 - Salaries

Horford 12M
Lou Williams 5.2M
Stevenson 2.24M
Jenkins 1.26M
2013 Rookie 1.34M
2013 Rookie (Houston pick) 1.28M
FA SF: 2M
Fillers: 1.68M

TOTAL = 70M (Lux tax) based on 2012/13 figures

2013/14 - Roster

PG: CP3/2013 Rookie
SG: Williams/Jenkins
SF: Stevenson/FA
PF: Smith/2013 Rookie (Houston)
C: Howard/Horford

Obviously players such as Horford can be traded to get better players as you wouldn’t want to be paying a backup centre 12M but you get the idea…..their Big 4 would be pretty awesome!!!

[iNolaNightmare]

I have never engaged in this hoopla, but I could definitely see us, the Pelicans, in the race for CP3's services for the next four years.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

Since we are all speaking hypothetical, there is still as much possibility that CP3 comes back to Nola as he does staying with the Clippers if they lose in the first round:

I know I’m dreaming but if the Pel’s don’t pick up the option on both Lopez and Thomas, the combined salaries for the rest of the team in 2013/14 is: 36.53M

Now if we sign both Howard and CP3 for 15M each (obviously they agree to take a significant pay cut to win a Championship)

The total salaries to begin the season would be: 66.53M
If you include the salary of the 2013 (5th pick) = 2.9M

Total for team: 69.43M

Luxury tax as of 2012/13 – 70M

CP3/Vasquez/Roberts
Gordon/Rivers/FA
2013 Pick/FA/Miller
Davis/Anderson
Howard/Smith

Championship!!!!

After the 2013/14 season we would have a problem with cap space, but 1 championship would do me 

[Snarly]

Honestly, I don't believe Chris Paul will ever win a Championship unless he forms a superteam or is at the stage where he won't command 18-20mil a year salary ala Jason Kidd. Chris Paul is a #2 option with a #1 skillset. This is due to his mentality and need for an elite post option down low.