Los Angeles Clippers Blog – Page 68 – NBA Blog

Eric Gordon open to signing Hornets extension

Shooting guard Eric Gordon said he’s willing to sign a long-term contract extension with the Hornets, who have until Wednesday to make that happen. But as the clock ticks away on that deadline, it’s also ticking on the timeline that is keeping Gordon sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee that has limited the Hornets’ leading scorer to just two games this season.

The question begs, therefore: have the Hornets seen enough in two games, one of which Gordon made the winning shot, to offer Gordon an extension that would keep him in New Orleans for another four or five years? Or does the team wait until the season ends, and with a new owner in place, then possibly commit its resources to an extension, or just allow Gordon to test the market as a restricted free agent?

And will the Hornets be open to satisfying Gordon’s financial demands, whatever they may be?

Gordon, who was ruled out for two to three weeks on Jan. 6 because of swelling in the knee after his second game — a 40-minute outing in a loss to the 76ers — says he’d have no problem putting his name on a long-term contract with the Hornets right now.

— Reported by Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

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Chris Paul is buying Avril Lavigne’s mansion

Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul is planning to stay in town a while … ’cause he’s about to drop $8.5 MILLION on a sick Bel Air mansion that he’s buying from Avril Lavigne … TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us … Paul fell in love with the 12,184 square foot place, which Avril originally listed for $9.5 mil and decided he had to make a move.

The mansion — located in a hoity-toity private community called Bel Air Crest — includes 8 bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms, a wine cellar, 10-car garage, gym, sauna and a covered outdoor living room.

— Reported by TMZ

Chris Paul remains day-to-day

Before the Clippers’ game Wednesday night at Staples Center, Chris Paul was on the court working out.

Paul still did not play against the Dallas Mavericks, sitting out his third straight game because of a strained left hamstring.

Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said there was no timetable for Paul to return, just that the All-Star point guard still was listed as day-to-day.

“He’s feeling better,” Del Negro said. “He’s doing all his therapy, headed in the right direction. But we just want to make sure that we get him some work [Thursday] and then see how he feels for Friday and then go from there. It’s day-to-day for him right now, but there’s a process involved that the doctors and trainers have. We’ll abide by that and see how he feels every day.”

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times

Clippers sign guard Courtney Fortson

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed point guard Courtney Fortson. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not announced. Fortson has appeared in 17 games with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League this season and is the 15th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2011-12 season.

Fortson, 23, was with the Clippers throughout training camp earlier this season and appeared in one preseason game for Los Angeles on Dec. 19.

The 5-foot-11 inch Fortson is averaging 15.9 points, 5.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 49.4 percent from the field in 17 games with the D-Fenders this season.

After a two-year career at the University of Arkansas that saw him earn All-SEC Second Team honors in 2010 and average 17.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists as a sophomore, Fortson played in six games with the Reno Big Horns of the NBA Development League and in Romania in 2010-11.

Fortson will be available for the Clippers today against the New Jersey Nets.

Chris Paul day-to-day with strained left hamstring

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who suffered a strained left hamstring during the fourth quarter of last night’s Clippers victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, underwent an MRI today which was labeled negative for any significant findings.

Paul, who has averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.78 steals and 37.3 minutes in nine games played this season, will be listed as day to day and is questionable for tomorrow’s game vs. New Jersey.

U.S. Olympic team could have three Clippers

Is it possible that the Clippers could have three players on the U.S. Olympic basketball team?

Well, yes, it’s possible that Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billups all could represent the United States in the Olympics in London this summer.

Paul said he has been in contact with Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, and that he hopes to be on the Olympic basketball team for the second time.

Griffin said he was told by his agent that Colangelo wanted to speak with him about being a candidate to try out for the team. Griffin said he planned to call Colangelo this week to express his interest.

Billups said his agent talked with Colangelo.

Colangelo must announce the 18 candidates for the team by Jan. 18.

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times

Hornets guard Eric Gordon likely out 2-3 weeks to rest knee

Hornets guard Eric Gordon suffered right knee swelling following Wednesday night’s game with the 76ers. Gordon missed the previous four contests prior to the Philadelphia game after he initially bruised the right knee in the second half of the team’s opening night game in Phoenix.

Team doctors have recommended rest for the 22-year old guard’s right knee and he will be sidelined an estimated 2-3 weeks.

Gordon has played just two games for the Hornets so far this season, averaging 21.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Hornets currently have a 2-4 record.

Clippers sign forward Solomon Jones

The Los Angeles Clippers today signed free agent forward Solomon Jones. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

A second-round pick (33rd overall) of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2006 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-10 Jones has played for Atlanta and Indiana in his five-year career. In 39 games with the Pacers last season, Jones averaged 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 13.5 minutes.

The 27-year old Jones has appeared in 247 career games, making 10 starts and bringing career averages of 3.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks to the Clippers. Jones has appeared in 16 playoff games with Atlanta in 2008 and 2009.

A Florida native, Jones enjoyed a standout two-year career at the University of South Florida from 2004-06 before joining the Hawks.

The Clippers roster currently stands at 14.

Clippers forward Reggie Evans is ready to play, but will wait

If it were up to Reggie Evans, he would play right now.

But it’s not up to Evans, and he knows he has to listen to the Clippers’ training staff that has told the backup center-power forward that his sprained right foot hasn’t healed enough for him to play.

Evans said he participated in some on-court work with the Clippers at Saturday’s practice and hopes to do more this week.

“If it was up to me, the way my mind is right now, I’d start doing so more stuff right now on the court,” he said. “But I’ve got to listen to [Clippers trainer] Jasen Powell. I can’t overrule him.

“You know me, I’m a competitor. I want to play. So quite naturally my mind is like, ‘Let’s go.’ ”

— Reported by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times

Kwame Brown sells Playa del Rey home

NBA player and former Laker Kwame Brown has sold his house in Playa del Rey for $1.65 million.

The open-floor-plan house had been on and off the market since 2008 when it was listed for sale at $2.999 million or for lease at $12,000 a month. The current listing stated the home had sustained water damage on the main level and needed a new roof, windows, doors and elevator.

Described as a short sale in the listing, the ocean-view contemporary includes four bedrooms and five bathrooms in 6,329 square feet. The breakfast bar can seat up to 10. The basement media room has a built-in projector, screen and a wet bar.

— Via Lauren Beale of the Los Angeles Times