Chris Paul staying with the Clippers
LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul is staying with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The All- Star point guard agreed to a new deal on the first day free agency opened, agent Leon Rose confirmed.
Paul posted a message on his Twitter account Monday morning, saying “I’M IN!!!” (hash) CLIPPERNATION
Paul led the Clippers to their first Pacific Division title last season and his decision to stay is the second big victory for the longtime losers in this offseason, following the signing of Doc Rivers as their new coach.
Paul can earn about $108 million over five years with the Clippers. The deal can’t be signed until July 10, after next season’s salary cap is set.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist has helped turn around the Clippers franchise in two seasons since coming in a trade from the New Orleans Hornets. They made the playoffs in both seasons, advancing to the second round in 2012, and went 56-26 this season, the best record in their history.
DEVELOPMENTS
Knicks acquire Bargnani from Raptors: A person with knowledge of the details says the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors have agreed on their deal involving former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani.
The Knicks will get the forward from Italy in exchange for three players and three picks, The Associated Press reported.
Toronto will receive Knicks reserves Steve Novak, Marcus Camby and Quentin Richardson, who will be signed-and-traded. The Knicks are also sending the Raptors a 2016 first-round pick and two second-round picks.
Bargnani, the No. 1 pick of the 2006 draft, has two years and about $22.2 million remaining on his contract.
Pelicans seeking Evans: The New Orleans Pelicans have made an offer to Sacramento Kings restricted free agent guard Tyreke Evans, two people familiar with the situation said.
Several media outlets reported the deal was for four years and ranging between $40 million and $48 million.
Because he’s a restricted free agent, the Kings will have the opportunity to match any offers Evans signs. Evans played one season for the University of Memphis before turning pro.
It’s unclear if Sacramento would match such a lucrative offer. New Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro and other team executives planned to meet with Evans and his agent, Arn Tellem, in the Los Angeles area.
Sacramento seemed to start making preparations for Evans’ departure when it selected Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore seventh overall in last week’s draft.
The Kings also took Detroit point guard Ray McCallum with the No. 36 pick.
Evans was drafted fourth overall out of Memphis in 2009 and won the NBA Rookie of the Year that season, but he has been set back by various knee and foot injuries and struggled to adjust to former coach Keith Smart’s style. When healthy and unleashed, he’s still one of the league’s most lethal scorers.
Evans is averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 257 games over four seasons with the Kings.
The Pelicans backcourt, as of now, would be somewhat crowded. They acquired All-Star guard Jrue Holiday in a draft night trade with Philadelphia last week.