TITLE: Chris Paul Parts Ways With Clippers on Good Terms; LeBron Heats Up for Lakers; Monte Morris Close to Olympiacos Deal
SLUG: paul-clippers-lebron-lakers-morris-olympiacos
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LOS ANGELES — Veteran guard Chris Paul said he holds no bitterness over his exit from the Los Angeles Clippers and is focused on securing his next NBA opportunity.
In an interview with People magazine, the 39-year-old acknowledged the organization’s decision to move in a different direction and said he is eager to help another team in any capacity. “Above all, I’m excited to stay around the game and contribute wherever I end up,” Paul noted.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue dismissed reports that communication between him and Paul had broken down late last season. “That’s just not true,” Lue told reporters, via Sports Illustrated’s Joey Linn. He explained it would have been impossible to play Paul without regular dialogue, even during a brief stretch when the guard slipped out of the rotation. Lue added he was not present when team officials informed Paul he could no longer be around the club, and conceded some players were unhappy with the call.
Lakers
Across the street at Crypto.com Arena, LeBron James delivered a season-best 29 points in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, including 10 straight in the fourth quarter. Afterward, the four-time MVP said his 40-year-old body is finally catching up to the grind of the schedule. “It just takes a little longer for me to hit my rhythm,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Tonight I started to feel like myself again.”
The Lakers also expect guard Marcus Smart, their defensive anchor, to return for Wednesday’s NBA In-Season Tournament game against San Antonio. Smart has missed six contests with a back issue but said, via team reporter Mike Trudell, that a solid practice session has him ready to “give it a shot.”
International
Greek power Olympiacos is in advanced negotiations with free-agent guard Monte Morris, according to Michalis Stefanou of Eurohoops. Optimism is high that the sides will finalize a one-year contract soon.
Morris became available when Indiana waived him on Nov. 21. He had signed with the Pacers earlier in the month but never saw action because of a calf injury suffered in September. The 30-year-old last played for Phoenix, averaging 5.2 points in 12.7 minutes over 45 games, and previously spent time with Denver, Detroit and Minnesota.
If the deal is completed, Morris would join a roster that already includes former NBA players Frank Ntilikina, Saben Lee and Evan Fournier.
Source: Hoops Wire
