UA-59049186-1 Chris Paul Traded to the Rockets - Good if it Goes

Chris Paul Traded to the Rockets

At 11:38 ET time it was reported by Adrian Wojnaroski (aka WOJ) of the Vertical that the Rockets and Clippers had agreed to a trade that would send Chris Paul to the Rockets.

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There was plenty of talk about Chris Paul and James Harden wanting to play together over the past few days and it appears to have come to fruition. The details of the trade are as followed: The Houston Rockets will receive Chris Paul who instead of a sign and trade opted back into the final year of his contract and will play the upcoming season for the Rockets on a one year deal. The Clippers will receive SG. Lou Williams, PG. Patrick Beverly, SF. Sam Dekker, and the Rockets 2018 first round pick (top 3 protected).

Some might wonder why the Clippers agreed to this deal and the answer is simple, they did not have a choice. Chris Paul technically was an unrestricted free agent and reportedly informed the team he intended to sign with the Rockets. So they could either let him walk for nothing or facilitate this trade where they get back some pretty decent pieces. All things considered I think the Clippers made out pretty well. They took on no huge contracts and even got an expiring one which plays into their bigger plan to ultimately try and go after Lebron James in the summer of 2018 which is also why many have speculated the team brought in Jerry West this offseason.

As for the Rockets this deal does not make a ton of sense. Yes on one hand they add a top 10 player and one of the best pgs in the NBA. On the other hand they already had one of the best PGs in the NBA and now it will be very interesting to see how Paul and Harden will work together. Every team CP3 has ever played for he has been the primary ball handler. Not only that he has never been a run n gun type of player which brings into question not only how he fits with Harden but how he will fit into the Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system. CP3 is all about pace and playing in the half court and D’Antoni wants 7 seconds or less. Chris Paul’s strengths as a scorer are shooting from mid-range and his floater game D’Antoni wants 3’s and lay-ups. One reason the Rockets worked so well last season is because everything fit perfectly. Yes they got a better player today and I guess if a player as good as CP3 wants to come play for your team similar to the Warriors last year you say yes and figure it out. It will be interesting to see just how this works out.

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