Chris Paul is on-the-record denying that he wants a trade out of Houston.
The Rockets point guard was in Los Angeles over the weekend celebrating the second annual “Go Hoop Day” when he made the comments.
The official “Go Hoop Day” website — which Paul co-founded — explains: “Basketball is more than a game, it is a belief. It is our teacher. Our motivator. It does not discriminate. It shows us how to deal with loss. And how to handle success. It helps us through tough times. And is part of some of our fondest memories. The game lets us dream. The game gives us hope. But most importantly, the game brings us together.”
“I never asked for a trade,” Paul said. “I never demanded a trade. … I’ll be in Houston. I’m happy about that. I’m very happy about that. I’m good.”
Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill reported last week that the relationship between Paul and Harden had become “unsalvageable”:
But both Paul and general manager Daryl Morey immediately categorically denied the rumors.
Morey told Feigen that the report is “definitely not true. It’s ridiculous.”
Asked if Paul or his representatives had asked that he be traded, Morey said, “No. Can you convey my disdain in my “no.’ It’s so annoying at this point.
“I’ve talked to Chris since (Game 6), for sure. Myself, Mike D’Antoni, James Harden are all super competitive, all frustrated we were eliminated from the playoffs, all want to get over the hump. That leads to a lot of competitive fire. All of it is normal. We’re all in the same boat, pursuing the championship. We’re all frustrated we’re not there. But there is nothing past that.”
Then, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported he had spoken to Paul and that the nine-time All-Star “categorically denied” the reports and that it is a “fallacy” that he ever “demanded a trade.”
If this is true, then Harden and Paul can still be one of the top teams in the Western Conference, especially with injuries to Golden State. The Warriors have knocked the Rockets out of the playoffs four of the past five seasons.
The Rockets focus should be pushing past these rumors, and focusing on landing a big agent — such as Jimmy Butler — in free agency.
