NBA Free Agency News 2013: Chris Paul Expected to Sign $107 Million Contract Extension With Los Angeles Clippers

While Dwight Howard is busy talking to different teams, one superstar is now out of the free-agency market as reports confirmed that Chris Paul will stay with the Los Angeles Clippers next season.

According to Ramon Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles, Paul verbally agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $107 million with the Los Angeles Clippers, shortly after the free-agency period began at 12:01 ET Monday.

The contract cannot be signed until July 10th, but teams usually inform the media about verbal agreements during the free-agency period or before the annual deadline.

Paul's decision to stay with the Clippers was expected after the team successfully hired Doc Rivers as their new head coach and senior vice president of basketball operations last week. According to league sources, Paul played a huge role in convincing the Clippers to go after Rivers.

Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine reported early Sunday that Paul's representatives told other teams not to bother talking to the point guard to gauge the superstar's interest because he has no other plans but to play for the Clippers in the next five years. 

Paul's decision to stay with the Clippers is no surprise, but the latest word from his camp has ended whatever small hope opposing teams had of luring the All-Star, sources said.

Doc Rivers becoming the Clippers' new head coach and senior vice president of basketball operations earlier this week assured that Paul will remain in Los Angeles, according to sources.

The chances of Paul leaving the Clippers were slim even before Rivers was named coach, but sources said he had at least entertained the thought of going to the Atlanta Hawks with Dwight Howard, who also will enter free agency.

Now that Paul is set to return for another tour of duty with the Clippers, the team is expected to look for another marquee player to join Paul and superstar forward Blake Griffin, who also signed a five-year extension last season.

If another superstar will not be available for them, the Clippers are expected to look for role players, prioritizing their current free agents that include Chauncey Billups, Ryan Hollins, Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf and Matt Barnes, who is reportedly being wooed by the Los Angeles Lakers.