According to a Zach Lowe story on ESPN.com, it appears as though Chris Paul is open to staying with the Clippers beyond this season, but is demanding that the Clippers give him the full long-term max contract, whatever that could be after the collective bargaining agreement.
NBA Rumors: The Clippers expect Chris Paul to demand a full 5-year max contract this offseason in free agency.
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) December 1, 2016
This potential deal would be in the neighborhood of five years, $200 million range for Paul and would take him until the age of 37. As savvy as Chris Paul is and as incredible of a point guard he is in the truest sense, paying a 36 year old point guard $40 million per season is a very dangerous proposition as very few have been able to be effective and elite at that advanced age. The list is basically John Stockon and Steve Nash.
Giving Paul and Griffin a max contract, along with bringing back J.J. Reddick, will put the Clippers way over any luxury tax, which could be feasible with billionaire owner Steve Ballmer.
As much as this Clippers team has been a disappointment in the postseason, the reality is that they are probably the 3rd best equipped team in the NBA to win a championship at the moment, and it is hard to break that up. I foresee the Clippers ponying up and paying Paul and Griffin whatever they would desire this off-season.
