Report: Chris Paul to speak with Rockets, Nuggets

Jerry West couldn't have arrived at a better time.

The Los Angeles Clippers are growing increasingly concerned over the possibility that Chris Paul could leave in free agency, sources told Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Paul has been linked to the San Antonio Spurs, and will also speak with the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, one executive told Turner.

The Clippers can offer Paul the most money on his next deal - a five-year maximum worth $205 million. Paul, who serves as president of the NBA Players Association, tangentially made this contract offer possible in the new collective bargaining agreement by altering the under-36 rule.

Any other suitor can only offer Paul $152 million over four years.

From Los Angeles' side, the message has been consistent: the team wants to re-sign Paul. Owner Steve Ballmer is reportedly committed to keeping the Clippers' core group together, even if the price tag is astronomically high.

However, the Clippers have largely spun their wheels in recent seasons and Paul is running out of time to secure a title in his prime. The 32-year-old guard continues to face criticism for failing to make it past the second round, and changing teams might be the best option for him to reach his goal.

Paul averaged 18.1 points, 9.2 assists, five rebounds, and 1.9 steals last season while posting a hyper-efficient true shooting percentage of 61.4.