Matt Barnes Says Chris Paul Will Stay With Clippers

Following the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round exit at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies, I was of the mind that Paul would consider spurning Hollywood for a different locale. And I still am. Fellow Clipper Matt Barnes, however, is not.

Speaking with ESPNLA 710, Barnes said that he believes Paul with stay with the Clippers (via Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com):

“Chris and I have seen each other a few times after the season and that’s something we’ve discussed,” Barnes told the Mason & Ireland Show on ESPNLA 710 on Wednesday. “Not to really get into his business too much, but I think the Clippers are one of his of top teams to say the least and if I was betting guy I would say he would be back with the Clippers next year.”

It’s difficult to disagree with Barnes. Not only can the Clippers offer Paul more money than any other NBA team, but you know, where else is Paul going to go?

That’s what I’ve struggled to justify with my whole “Paul is a flight risk” spiel. There aren’t many promising options out there.

The Dallas Mavericks have Dirk Nowitzki, but that’s all they have. And there’s no telling how much longer they’ll have him. The Atlanta Hawks have the ability—should they renounce the rights to all of their free agents, Jeff Teague included—to ink two max stars (or close to it), but it’s unlikely they appeal to Paul himself, let alone another superstar. There’s also the Houston Rockets, who while an intriguing fit, aren’t likely to pursue another ball dominator to pair alongside James Harden (and Jeremy Lin).

Still, out of what some may consider some misplaced sense of idiocy, I still say his departure is a possibility. A strong one. Do I think he’ll leave for the Mavs? Hawks? Rockets? No, I don’t see him inking deals with any of those three. I could, however, see some teams get involved via a sign-and-trade. Hell, I could see something crazy happening in general.

(My apologies to the New York Knicks fans [myself included]. That “something crazy” won’t be Paul actualizing his wedding toast, the one that implied he would team up with Carmelo Anthony in the Big Apple.)

Where to next, Chris? (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

That said, it’s difficult to ignore how much of an advantage the Clippers have. Their roster was basically assembled by Paul and they’ll continue to give him the ultimate control over personnel decisions—like Vinny Del Negro’s future—moving forward. Again, it will be tough for him to forego that type of opportunity, especially when it comes with a nine-figure payday.

Toss in Barnes’ almost candid sentiments, and it seems that Paul may already have his mind made up (though he himself said otherwise).

Almost overnight, Paul’s free-agency plans have become more of a hot-button issue than the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dwight Howard. Why? Because the Lakers were supposed to get eliminated in the first round. Well technically, they weren’t. Their payroll suggested otherwise. After losing Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, and floundering in their own skin for most of the regular season, though, their elimination was expected.

The Clippers, however, were supposed to contend. With two top-15 superstars in Paul and Blake Griffin, and a deep supporting cast that included a standout in Barnes and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford, they were supposed to make a run at a title.

Instead, Paul finds himself home, watching as eight other teams make their own run at a title. The same run that Paul and the Clippers were supposed to still be making, the absence of which could motivate the point guard to take his talents elsewhere

“I don’t know how this whole thing is going to play out,” Paul said (via Markazi). “I’m going to pray about it. We’ll see.”

Indeed we will.