According to ESPN's Marc Stein, a source close to the Clippers star thinks CP3 stays a Clipper.
As one source close to the situation put it this week when asked to grade the Clips' chances of retaining CP3, keeping in mind Paul's well-chronicled love of the Hollywood scene and the fact that this team was good enough to reel off 17 wins in a row earlier this season: "I'm saying 99.5 percent."
Considering how well the Clippers have played with Paul in their lineup the past two seasons, Los Angeles Laker fans have to be wondering if their little brother across the hall might be rising up to become L.A.’s premier basketball franchise.
While it is realistic to say the Clippers look like the city’s best team now and into the future, Dwight Howard can change all of that talk.
Howard’s split with the Orlando Magic has been well documented and discussed to the point of exhaustion over the past 12 months. The real question is, can the Lakers re-sign the stud center, or will he divorce Tinseltown just like he did Orlando?
Paul staying a Clipper puts the pressure firmly on the Lakers. For as mediocre as the Lakers have played this year, Howard is still one of the best franchise cornerstones in the entire league. The Lakers future revolves around Howard staying put and the franchise being handed over to him upon Kobe Bryant’s retirement.
The Lakers can offer nearly $25 million more than any team Dwight could choose to sign with in free agency. They can also offer the Hollywood glitz and glamor that defines the Laker franchise and playing in one of the best markets in the country.
While Howard has been adama...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
