Point guard Chris Paul said he is glad to be with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I’m excited,” Paul told ESPN Los Angeles on Sunday night. “I’m excited about everything that’s going on with the team. I talked to my wife about it because I told her it was going to be a family decision. We even let (son) ‘Little Chris’ chime in on it. It’s pretty cool to know where you’re going to be and to know you’re somewhere where you’re wanted. The fans have been amazing. I told my wife I felt like a rookie all over again just because I’m excited about the unexpected.”
Paul was quick to re-sign with the team for five years and $107 million when he became a free agent a week ago. The move will become official Wednesday.
Paul was hosting a celebrity poker tournament in Los Angeles to benefit his CP3 Foundation.
He said he decided not to meet with any other teams despite being a free agent.
“For me, I felt like if I knew where I wanted to be and what I was going to do, why take the time and waste those other teams’ time and have them spending unnecessary money,” Paul said. “We just wanted to be done with it.”
The Clippers helped their cause by trading for coach Doc Rivers to replace fired Vinny De Negro.
“I’m so excited to play for him,” Paul said. “Words can’t describe it. Doc is amazing. Everything that has happened doesn’t automatically translate into wins but it gives you an opportunity to win so I’m excited about the process.”
The Clippers are scheduled to have Paul and Rivers at press conference at their training facility Wednesday where Paul and Rivers. The team will also introduce newcomers Jared Dudley, J.J. Redick and Darren Collison and returning players Matt Barnes and Ryan Hollins.
The team could also signing Antawn Jamison and re-signing Ronny Turiaf by then.
Paul is also thrilled that the Clippers are building a talented team around Paul and forward Blake Griffin.
“It’s a process,” Paul said. “It’s been fun to talk about basketball. Me and Blake have been texting and talking every day. It started with Blake. To have a guy as unselfish as he is and play the way that he does, I’m excited about playing together and I’m excited about what’s to come.”