![]() The Clippers will enter free agency knowing they can outbid any suitor for Paul. Sources said the Clippers regard the threat of San Antonio signing away Paul as a legitimate concern, even though the Spurs, at present, have virtually no salary-cap flexibility. The Spurs have indeed explored the feasibility of making a free-agent run at Paul, league sources told ESPN last month. The Clippers are regarded as strong favorites to retain Griffin and Paul when they hit the open market, given their financial advantages over competing teams in trying to sign them.īut the Clippers' nagging inability to dodge injuries and reach the conference finals even once in Paul's six seasons have given interested suitors such as the San Antonio Spurs hope that he will strongly consider external interest. The moves, which were expected, will make them unrestricted free agents July 1. Sources: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin will become free agentsĬhris Paul and Blake Griffin have notified the Los Angeles Clippers they won't pick up the player options in their contracts for next season, sources told ESPN on Friday. ![]() All rights reserved.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information / Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. He allows us to be pros and men, and he knows we all want to win, and we got to show it." "One of the best things about Doc being here along with the rest of the coaching staff is the attention to detail," Paul said. Paul said the team already has noticed the difference in having Rivers as coach just two days into training camp. After the first team lost the first scrimmage, Paul demanded a rematch, which the first team won. Rivers held two full-court scrimmages between the first and second teams at the end of practice Wednesday. Those two are the cornerstones of our defense." "Their ability to protect the rim and their speed and athleticism is something that you rarely see in anybody, let alone being on the same team. "I think the reason he says that is solely because of DJ and Blake," Paul said. Paul believes Rivers' high praise of the Clippers on defense is largely based on how their two big men will play. We have great speed but we don't have the size in some ways as some of the teams I've coached." We have a couple of individual defenders that can be dominating on defense. They don't have the veteran IQ but they should be in that area. "They should be better than any team I've ever coached, I really believe that," Rivers said. Rivers expects the Clippers to be one of the best defensive teams in the league this season. Rivers said he expects Jordan to be in the running for defensive player of the year this season and has spent the first two days of the Clippers' training camp in San Diego focusing on defense. He's doing a lot of great things for us." He can block shots, he can run the floor, he can defend, he's talking and he's in the best shape of his career. He gives us something a lot of the guys in the league can't do. "That's our big three, I like our big three," Rivers said. Rivers, however, feels comfortable putting the 25-year-old center in the same conversation as Paul and Griffin heading into this season. Paul and Griffin have combined to play in nine NBA All-Star Games, including the past three together, but Jordan has never been named an All-Star. I think those are the guys that I have more focus on than anybody else." "Their leadership is important to our team. ![]() "I'm always focused on our big three guys, Blake, DJ and Chris ," Rivers said. Rivers believes he now has a "big three" with the Los Angeles Clippers. SAN DIEGO - Doc Rivers won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in large part because of the Celtics' Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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