Report: No tension between Chris Paul, Rockets

The Houston Rockets remain confident that they'll re-sign Chris Paul to a long-term deal this summer, despite reports to the contrary.

Sam Amick of USA Today reports that sources close to both Paul and the Rockets refute any tensions between the two sides. That directly contradicts an earlier report from Chris Broussard of Fox Sports that claimed Paul wanted a five-year max that the Rockets were unwilling to offer.

Paul joined the Rockets last summer in a wink-wink trade that saw him delay free agency in favor of opting into a $25-million player option. That decision was made with the understanding that the Rockets would make good this summer by giving Paul a long-term offer that could see him make as much as $205 million over the next five years.

However, it would be understandable if Houston had some reservations about that deal, which would see a 38-year-old Paul being paid $46.7 million. The Rockets also changed ownership groups since Paul arrived, so any promises may no longer be intact.

That being said, Houston won 65 games this season and had the Golden State Warriors down 3-2 in the Western Conference finals before Paul sustained an injury, so the team would be wise to keep its core together.

Paul averaged 18.6 points and 7.9 assists while shooting 38 percent from deep in 58 appearances this season.