Buckle up, folks. This NBA offseason could be a wild ride. Less than a week after one superstar was moved from Chicago to Minnesota in Jimmy Butler, a longtime division for of the Warriors has now reportedly moved on from its star player. Chris Paul has been traded to the Houston Rockets, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
After Chris Paul agreed to opt-in on contract, Clippers are trading All-Star guard to the Houston Rockets, league sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 28, 2017
Rumors had been flying about Paul’s upcoming free agency, and according to Woj, he had already made his mind up about wanting to go team up with James Harden in Houston. Los Angeles, smartly, got a decent haul in return for Paul once they were aware that he was primed to leave the team. Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams and a first round pick will head to the Clippers in the deal. It appears as though Paul will exercise his player option for next season and then be traded, making him a free agent again next offseason.
Sources: After Paul informed Clippers he'd sign w/ HOU in FA, teams agreed to deal sending Beverley, Decker, Williams and 2018 FRP for Paul. https://t.co/9Lk9FPEPbu
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 28, 2017
The Rockets’ new core is quite formidable, and at least on paper makes them the strongest contender to take down the Warriors in the Western Conference next season. With James Harden, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon all still a part of the team, and the addition of Chris Paul, their up-tempo offense just added one of the game’s great point guards. We’ll see how Paul and Harden, who just converted to point guard last season, are able to play together, but it seems as though they were very eager to do so.
Chris Paul and James Harden were determined to play together, and found a way with Rockets-Clippers trade agreed upon today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 28, 2017