Point guard commits his future to the Clippers as they build towards a championship.
The Los Angeles Clippers have verbally agreed on a contract extension with point guard Chris Paul, a five-year deal worth $107m according to ESPN.
The All-Star is unable to officially confirm the deal until July 10, but it puts an end to speculation suggesting that he was looking to quit the Staples Center this summer.
It is understood that Paul had no desire to leave the franchise, but was further boosted by the appointment of Doc Rivers as the new Clippers coach.
I'M IN!!! #CLIPPERNATION
— Chris Paul (@CP3) July 1, 2013
He had been linked with a switch to the Atlanta Hawks, who had been prepared to bring him together with Dwight Howard, who looks more likely to leave Los Angeles in the next week or so.
Paul led the Clippers to their first Pacific Division title last season having registered a regular season record of 56-26, and joins team-mate Blake Griffin in signing a long-term deal with the organisation.
Griffin signed a five-year, $95m contract extension last summer, and will undoubtedly be delighted by the news that his team-mate will be joining him for pre-season training camp later this summer.
He averaged 16.9 points, 9.7 assists and an NBA-best 2.4 steals per game last season, but will want to kick on and help the Clippers produce in the postseason and become genuine championship contenders.
Following the arrival of Rivers from the Boston Celtics, it is believed that they have a greater chance of doing so next year, with various moves also waiting to be made in the trade market.
Nevertheless, it comes as a huge boost to have Paul remain with the franchise, and he will be determined to help them improve on last season’s showing.
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