Report: Clippers' Paul, Jordan had falling out, could lead to center's departure
It's been less than 24 hours since the Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated from the postseason, and with one of their top players facing unrestricted free agency, the rumors are already flying.
Sources: DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul have had falling out throughout season, a fact that could push Jordan to another team in free agency.
— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) May 18, 2015
"Things aren't good there," Fox Sports' Bill Reiter reports a source telling him, citing Paul's high-strung drive grating on Jordan.
"(Jordan) might leave. He really might."
Locker room dissent between players generally isn't covered in-depth by beat media, but there had been season-long rumblings that some of the Clippers didn't like each other.
Jordan wasn't talking free agency after Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Houston Rockets as both he and Paul were still coming to terms with another postseason failure. While coach Doc Rivers sounded confident Jordan will be back, it's probably not a slam dunk - even if just for the salary cap ramifications of tying up so much money in the team's core.
"It ain't easy with us contractually," Rivers said after Sunday's defeat. "There are no big deals out there that we're going to make, most likely. Our first priority is DJ."
Doc confirmed at Clippers exit interviews today they'll offer DeAndre Jordan max contract. Said DJ loves it here but not to take for granted
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) May 18, 2015
Jordan, the NBA leader in field goal percentage and rebounding, is expected to listen to all offers this summer - with the Dallas Mavericks likely chief among them. As always, only Jordan's current team can offer him the max of five years and about $109 million.