Blow it Up: Chris Paul May Not Give the LA Clippers a Choice

May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) guards Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game seven of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) come off the bench in the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6), guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) come off the bench in the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Leverage?

Best-case scenario for the LA Clippers is that Chris Paul is leveraging the Spurs to keep the “Big 3” intact in Los Angeles. Trade talks surrounding Blake Griffin have been a topic of interest for years now and Paul could be using his own departure to secure the future of Griffin. Regardless, Chris Paul has made clear his ultimate goal and the Clippers are going to have to give him what he wants and more if they are to keep him.

It’s a 50 million-dollar gamble, and regardless of whether he stays or not, it should be clear just how badly he wants to win a title.

It’s a critical summer for the Clippers, one that could see the addition of a fourth All-Star to the mix, the perpetuation of the status quo, or the last option – one we’ll deal with if it comes.