After a hectic NBA week, Chris Paul has decided to stay put. Rumors have it that at 12:01 a.m. ET, Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a whopping 5-year, $107 million contract that will keep the point guard in L.A. through 2017-2018.
Paul was rumored to having interests in leaving the Clippers and possibly signing wherever Dwight Howard landed as the big man has possibly played his last season with the Lakers. The New York Knicks were heavily rumored to have interest in the point guard's services, but with the loaded contracts of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, there simply was no room to consider taking on his contract.
Paul secures he'll play along side Blake Griffin until the termination of his contract. Griffin, like Paul, will be a Clipper until 2017-2018. They are a dynamic duo running the floor as the best dunker in the NBA will remain paired with the best passer in the league. Together, Griffin and Paul will have the chance of drawing free agents to Los Angeles. People are realizing "showtime" is truly witnessed when the Clippers are playing at the Staple Center rather than the Lakers, who originally adapted the phrase in Magic Johnson's heydays.
Paul can play defense, score and pass, making him a triple threat. He's quick, agile and strong, allowing him to use his handles to get past defending point guards and finish at the hoop when guarded by bulkier opponents. On defense, Paul has led the league in steals averaged per game since 2010-2011, which is three years and running for the guard out of Wake Forest.
Paul is only 28 years old and now entering the prime of his career. He has five years of playoffs experience. Most recently, Paul and the Clippers were bounced from the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies. In Game 2, Paul was the reason why the team won, sinking a buzzer-beating layup to win the game. Unfortunately, Paul and L.A. were unable to get deeper into the playoffs.
Paul wants a chip. There is no doubt about it. Now the organization has to surround their point guard and Griffin with the right players, which will allow them to make a title run.
