Last June, Chris Paul opted into the final year of his contract (worth just under $24.3 million) and was then traded to the Rockets.
It was all by design, so that way Paul would hit unrestricted free agency this summer and Houston would be able to give him the "super max" five-year contract worth over $200 million.
But buckle up everybody, because things may get wild here soon.
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According to Chris Broussard of Fox Sports:
"From what I'm told, there's tension now between Houston and Chris Paul, because there was definitely some type of 'handshake, wink-wink, we're gonna max you out' ... but now they're not so sure. Houston, with good reason, doesn't want to do that.
"But they got an out because they got new ownership. So Daryl Morey can go to Chris Paul and be like, 'I want to do it, but the new owner doesn't want to give you five years, or four years.'
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Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta sounds like a smart man.
Paul is 33 years old (he will turn 34 next May) and let's just say that he most likely isn't going to age too well.
If Houston gives Paul a five-year max, the point guard would be making around $46 million at 37 years old.
That sounds...
...like a bad investment for Houston.
The Rockets should not give Paul more than three years, unless they get a long-term commitment from LeBron James (which doesn't sound likely).
"I don't think LeBron would go there with them doing that to Chris Paul, and he doesn't want to be there long term," Broussard added. "I'm told LeBron hasn't made a decision yet because there are so many moving parts."
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
