CHRIS PAUL `EXCITED TO JOIN THUNDER'
Behold, the clearest sign yet that Chris Paul will start the season in Oklahoma City
Behold, the clear est sign yet that Chris Paul will start the season in Oklahoma City.
While there's still two months before preseason and time for the Thunder to reengage with potential trade partners, that didn' t stop Paul from going on Instagram and expressing his excitement about joining the Thunder.
On Wednesday, Paul thanked Houston for its “generosity and kindness” toward him and his family, then said he was excited about joining the Thunder next season and for the opportunity to compete alongside his Thunder teammates.
“I started my NBA career playing in Oklahoma City with the New Orleans Hornets and I look forward to returning!” Paul said.
Paul was traded to the Thunder on July 16 for Russell Westbrook, two first-round picks and the rights to two first-round pick swaps. The Thunder explored trading Paul to Miami, but couldn't come to an agreement.
There are numerous factors contributing to the difficulty of trading Paul's contract, ranging from the money left on his deal (three years, $124 million) to the current state of NBA rosters. More than 40 percent of the league's players were free agents this summer and can not be traded until Dec. 15, which has limited the Thunder' s trade partners.
But the Thunder entered the deal for Paul OK with either trading the nine- time All- Star before preseason camp or starting the season with him on the roster.
League probes whether salary cap was violated
The NBA has begun an investigation into how teams handled free agency this summer, focusing on whether improper inducements were offered to players to circumvent the salary cap, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
The issue was raised by multiple team owners at a meeting of the league's board of governors this month in Las Vegas, according to the person, who requested anonymity because of a lack of authorization to speak publicly on the subject.
ESPN first reported on the existence of the investigation.
There were also multiple reports this month suggesting that Kawhi Leonard' s representatives, in ar ranging his blockbuster move from the Toronto Raptors to the Los Angeles Clippers, had asked for per ks that would violate the league's collective bargaining agreement.
ESP N comment at or Stephen A. Smith, citing“people in NBA circles,” said on the air that Leonard' s uncle —Dennis Robertson (known in NBA circles as “Uncle Dennis”) — had asked other teams for houses, planes and guaranteed sponsorship money. Smith added, “I have no idea whether this is true or not.”
The NBA is also exploring whether it needs to change its rules against tampering. Several players committed to signing with a team as soon as free agency negotiations officially opened on June 30 — even though teams were not allowed to begin recruiting before then. League rules prohibit players, coaches and front office executives from enticing an athlete under contract with another team to come play for their franchise.
Mavericks add center Boban Marjanovic
The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent Bob an Marja no vic, bringing the 7- foot -3 Serbian center back to Texas three years after he spent his rookie season with the rival San Antonio Spurs.
Marjanovic, 30, was sent to Philadelphia from the Los Angeles Clippers before the trading deadline last season and averaged a career-high 8.1 points along with 5.1 rebounds in 22 regularseason games before helping the 76ers reach the second round of the playoffs. Philadelphia lost to eventual champion Toronto in seven games.