The superstars basically finish their contracts, sign-up for a new contract rather than an extension ..... which guarantees them max-money and max-years.
CP3 is likely treating this upcoming season as a make-or-break-audition for the CLIPPERS ..... if they go very deep and contend, he'll probably re-sign the next offseason.
On the flipside, should the LAKERS, THUNDER or SPURS run roughshod over the CLIPPERS this year ..... he might opt to join the next NBA avengers team instead (I'd say go East, since it's still clearly the inferior half of the NBA).