Paul settles in with Clippers
Chris Paul already is getting to work with the Los Angeles Clippers. The four-time all-star point guard reported to the Clippers' Playa Vista training complex on Thursday, meeting his teammates and even getting on the court during practice. A day earlier, the Clippers acquired Paul in a four-player trade with New Orleans.
Chris Paul already is getting to work with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The four-time all-star point guard reported to the Clippers' Playa Vista training complex on Thursday, meeting his teammates and even getting on the court during practice. A day earlier, the Clippers acquired Paul in a four-player trade with New Orleans.
Meanwhile, Houston general manager Daryl Morey refused to answer questions about a three-team deal rejected by the NBA a week ago, citing legal reasons. The Rockets would have received Pau Gasol in the proposed deal that would have sent Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NBA said it killed the deal for "basketball reasons."
Lakers star Kobe Bryant praised the Clippers' move to get Paul and offered little criticism of the Lakers' front office, which abruptly traded Lamar Odom to Dallas last weekend, weakening Bryant's roster with no apparent help on the way.
Shaq and Charles weigh in
Shaquille O'Neal is joining Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson on the set of TNT's Inside the NBA
.
Barkley and O'Neal seemed to disagree on all the NBA's hot stories - including the Chris Paul trade.
O'Neal said New Orleans "totally took a step back" trading Paul to the Clippers. Barkley said the Hornets did well "because they weren't going to win with Chris Paul."
Blazers sign Crawford
Free-agent guard Jamal Crawford joined the Portland Trail Blazers.
The terms of the two-year deal were not released.
To make the deal with Crawford, the team used the NBA's new amnesty clause to waive all-star guard Brandon Roy, who announced his retirement last week because of ongoing knee problems.
An 11-year veteran, Crawford played for Atlanta the last two seasons. He won the NBA's sixth man award in 2010.
Jazz add Howard
Utah reached a deal with free-agent Josh Howard pending the outcome of a successful physical.
The Jazz made adding an athletic shooter their top priority in free agency after re-signing backup point guard Earl Watson last week.
Knicks sign center
New York signed center Jerome Jordan, a second-round pick of Milwaukee in 2010 whose rights the Knicks acquired for cash. He is the second 7-footer New York added this offseason.
Jordan hopes for minutes behind Tyson Chandler, the 7-1 center who helped Dallas win the NBA championship last season before agreeing to a four-year deal worth about $56 million in New York.
Nets get a Knick
New Jersey signed free-agent forward Shawne Williams away from the Knicks. The Nets also waived veteran forward Travis Outlaw and signed veteran free-agent forward Ime Udoka.
New home for Hamilton
Veteran guard Richard Hamilton said he looks forward to playing alongside MVP Derrick Rose and helping Chicago take the next step after winning more games than any other team during the regular season and reaching the Eastern Conference finals.
The three-time all-star from Coatesville signed for three years and $15 million on Wednesday.
Busy day off the court
Denver signed hometown forward Michael Ruffin, who most recently played for Portland in 2008-09. . . . Charlotte signed shooting guard Reggie Williams to a two-year contract. . . . Dallas waived guard Andy Rautins. . . . Minnesota signed veteran Bonzi Wells, 35, who hasn't played in the NBA since 2008.
- Associated Press