Chris Paul’s contract was thought to be immovable entering the 2019 NBA offseason. With the reports of a developing rift in Houston between Paul and James Harden, it seemed like moving the aging, eight-time All-NBA guard was ideal for the Rockets.
So when Russell Westbrook became available after the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Paul George, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey jumped at the opportunity. Houston sent Paul back to the city where he started his career — accompanied by picks — in exchange for the face of Oklahoma City’s NBA franchise.
Given the change, it seems clear the Rockets felt they didn’t have the best chance at winning a title with Paul on the roster. Yet, Morey still spoke very highly of the former Rockets guard in his Monday appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
When you’re a top-25 player in the league, which I think Chris Paul is, you can’t really overpay him. People sort of minced that. There’s maybe more efficient ways to spend money, but the reality that’s only if you can have a baseball roster of 15 guys who might play and impact the game. in basketball, it’s really only your first few guys and only seven or eight who play at all, so you need your top-two to be top, top in the league. and Chris Paul was amazing for us and still a very, very good player.
Despite Morey’s praise, an opposing NBA executive told Keith Smith of RealGM the Thunder won’t hold on Paul for too long. (Though it seems like a guarantee point guard will start 2019-20 with the Thunder.)
Once Paul George was traded, [trading Westbrook] was the next natural move. Then again, he’s the guy who stayed. It was the right move, especially considering all they got back. But some of that was to eat [Chris] Paul’s contract. But I bet Sam [Presti] flips Paul for something useful too.
As the Thunder work toward repositioning and rebuilding the team, Paul doesn’t seem like a fit for long-term. But turning him into assets seems tough given his contract and decline in play. Perhaps if he takes advantage of his chance in Oklahoma City, the Thunder can move him more easily and to a team looking for help with contending for an NBA title.
