Chris Paul says boycott a possibility if Donald Sterling remains Clippers owner

It's been one of the biggest questions hanging over the ongoing trial determining the fate of the Los Angeles Clippers ownership situation: what happens if the court rules in favor of Donald Sterling following closing arguments Monday?

Interim Clippers CEO Dick Parsons testified earlier in the week that head coach Doc Rivers would quit if Donald Sterling remained the owner of the team, and while its relevance in court is unclear, Clippers point guard Chris Paul more or less confirmed the testimony Thursday.

Paul called the idea of Donald Sterling still owning the team when the season begins "unacceptable," and told ESPN that a boycott is a legitimate possibility in that case:

That's something me and Doc are both talking about. Something has to happen, and something needs to happen soon - sooner rather than later.
...
We're all going to talk about it. We're all definitely going to talk about it. Doc, Blake [Griffin], DJ [DeAndre Jordan]. It's unacceptable.

As mentioned, some clarity may come with respect to the ownership next week. While the judge does not have to rule quickly, lawyers for Shelly Sterling and Steve Ballmer have requested the judge move expeditiously, and even rule the sale be allowed to go through without appeal should he rule in their favor.

Ballmer's agreement to purchase the franchise from the Sterling Family Trust, which Shelly Sterling took sole control of (the matter that's being contested in court), expires on Aug. 15.

Meanwhile, the NBA is expected to employ their Plan B by Sept. 15 if no deal has been ironed out, forcibly removing Donald Sterling as owner of the team via termination. With training camps opening in October, it seems likely the league will have at least shown that Donald Sterling is no longer the team's owner by then, but the matter isn't likely to be completely settled until Donald Sterling's myriad lawsuits come to a conclusion.

In short, the NBA's hands are currently tied, but they have a contingency ready, however messy that may prove to be.