Chris Paul is joining the Houston Rockets. ESPN reports that the Rockets have reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire Chris Paul via a sign-and-trade scenario. The Rockets will send Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, and a top-three protected 2018 first-round pick to the Clippers. Paul will embark on a new adventure with the hope of finally making a statement in the NBA playoffs. This will be Paul's third team in the NBA.
Chris Paul shocks the NBA world
Chris Paul, 32, informed the Clippers that he would be declining his player option and would be testing the free agency market.
However, many expected him to re-sign with the Clippers, since they would have been able to offer him around $50 million more than any other team. In addition, many pundits were quick to point to the San Antonio Spurs as his likeliest destination if he were to leave the Clippers. Thus, the story of his departure to Houston has come as a shock to many.
Chris Paul tweeted the following on Wednesday after the news had surfaced: "Unbelievable amount of emotions right now." He went on to post an image of a message where he thanked the city of Los Angeles and the Clippers for the time he spent there. LeBron James was one of many players to react to the news on social media: "My brother off to a new journey!
Best of luck @CP3!! H-Town y'all got a great one coming to your city. #BrotherHood," said James in a tweet.
Chris Paul chooses the Rockets
Paul met with the Clippers on Tuesday and informed them that he would be leaving in free agency. He had come out of prior meetings with them unsatisfied. His decision was made. The Clippers quickly understood that they would rather get something in return, so Paul ultimately agreed to opt-in for the final year of his contract and immediately get traded to the Rockets.
The Rockets were his preferred destination, but they also needed to create some cap space by giving up a few players. A sign-and-trade became the ideal solution for all sides.
Chris Paul and Doc Rivers
Chris Paul's relationship with the Clippers' head coach Doc Rivers might have also played a role in Paul's departure. According to ESPN's Michael Eaves, Paul and Doc have been at odds ever since he declined to include his son Austin Rivers in a deal that would have brought Carmelo Anthony to the Clippers in 2015.
“That event led Paul to feel that keeping his son on the roster was more important to Doc than improving the team,” Eaves reported.
Rockets making noise
Paul will be joining forces with the NBA MVP runner-up James Harden. This means that Harden will be shifting back to the shooting guard spot and delegating more often. Paul is a ball-dominant point guard who excels in the pick-and-roll like very few in the league. Harden displayed his own share of brilliance while running the point last season and dishing out passes game after game. Harden had the best season of his NBA career as a result of his transformation into a true point guard. However, with the addition of Paul, the two will have to learn to be on the same page and take turns running the team. ESPN reports that the Rockets have now set their sights on Paul George. Things could get even more interesting in Houston.
