Houston Rockets: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason
5. Re-sign Chris Paul, but win some sort of concession
Chris Paul has been one of the league’s three best point guards for the past decade, a dominant floor general who contributes on both ends of the court. From New Orleans to Los Angeles and now to Houston, he has spread his brand of disciplined, effective — and at times dictatorial — basketball.
For Paul, the road has always ended short of the ultimate prize, but unfortunately that’s the truth for a host of talented players. This year he reached the conference finals for the first time, and an ill-timed knee injury may have kept him and Houston out of the NBA Finals.
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After Paul opted into his contract for last season in order to allow Houston to trade for him, he will almost certainly expect a contract from Houston — and a significant one. Paul will be eligible for a full five-year max, a contract that would be worth $205 million all total.
As a 33-year-old point guard who stands just 6’0″ tall, it is unlikely that Paul will be worth that contract. While his ability to help Houston contend for a title next season is worth a significant amount, a maximum contract will pay Paul $47 million in his age-37 season. It’s nearly impossible for Paul to play to a level to make that worth it, and given his injury history and size, could be worth frighteningly little of it.
Yet not re-signing Paul puts Houston in an even tougher situation, without its second star and without the money to replace him. It’s a bad look to potential free agents — including the ones on their own team — that they did not take care of Paul after his help in facilitating a trade last summer. It also would likely strengthen a competitor of the Rockets, potentially even the potential super-team in Los Angeles formed on rumors and speculation.
The answer has to be to re-sign Chris Paul, but without crippling the franchise to do so. Would Paul be accepting of a 3-year maximum contract? Would he be comfortable signing for a lower annual amount to keep the five-year deal? Negotiating concessions into Paul’s next contract can help save the Rockets from future financial disaster.
The risk is worth it, as Paul represents the path to contention this season. He is a top-10 point guard of all time, and probably still a top-10 player in the league even at 33. Houston should view itself as a true contender next season if it retains Paul, but needs to accomplish that goal without completely mortgaging the future.