Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Paul in … What’s Next?

Never have so few words meant so much to Los Angeles Clippers fans as Chris Paul, less than 24 hours into the free agency period, revealed on his Twitter account that he will be signing a long-term contract with the team.

The star point guard has agreed to put his signature on a five-year, $107 million deal that will include the usual opt-out option after the fourth year. However, he will not be able to put pen to paper until July 10, though, so the deal is not exactly set in stone … yet.

Despite the bumpy road along the way, the move was always expected because it is the one that made the most sense financially (approximately $30 million less elsewhere) and basketball wise, as the Clippers already have pieces in place to win and win now.

Newly acquired head coach Doc Rivers will have Chris Paul at his disposal next season, but who else will he have? (Flickr.com photo by Keith Allison)

Sure, Paul did consider his options but following the addition of Doc Rivers as head coach and senior vice president of basketball operations last week, it was a foregone conclusion. Not only does it give L.A. a championship caliber coach, but also the one Paul himself wanted.

The Clippers have now got their man, but in doing so have gone into luxury tax territory, thus limiting themselves for the rest of the free agency period.

Still, former Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo is said to be on the team’s radar after averaging 15 points per game and 40.7 percent shooting from behind the arc in 2012-13.

Problem is, L.A. can only offer a mid-level exception deal worth a maximum of $5.1 million annually for up to four years. And for a guy that is attracting a lot of attention like Mayo, that’s not a particularly mesmerizing deal with Utah, Milwaukee, Portland and Charlotte all looking to fill a need at the 2 spot.

They could always try to lure him in with the promise of title contention, but then again so can Chicago, who is also in the hunt. Having said that, if I were O.J. Mayo and looking to choose between Chicago’s brutal winter or L.A’s weather and glamour, I know which one I’m choosing.

Arron Afflalo is another option as Orlando has offered him in exchange for point guard Eric Bledsoe, who has been subject to much trade speculation but a deal is yet to be agreed.

J.J. Redick has also been mentioned and could be a good fit because he is a catch-and-shoot guy and has improved defensively. However, he isn’t as dynamic as Mayo offensively nor is he as good a defender as Afflalo.

Granted, losing Bledsoe, who has been a quality backup to Paul, would be a tough blow, but the Clippers would have options to sign a replacement, i.e., Aaron Brooks, who was recently waived by the Houston Rockets to make room for Dwight Howard, or even going back to Chauncey Billups who may re-sign for pennies in order to possibly add another championship.

One thing is certain, owner Donald Sterling–uncharacteristically–hasn’t been shy about spending his money to build a winning team. The Clippers have the highest-paid coach in the NBA, are a luxury tax team and have committed more than $200 million to its two stars.

It truly is the dawn of a new era in Los Angeles.