Well this is a stunner.
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After initial reports that Chris Paul was going to opt out of his contract, Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski is now reporting that Paul has opted in to the last year of the deal and that the Clippers are trading him to the Houston Rockets.
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 (@wojespn) June 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/880088294700331008
Chris Paul and James Harden were determined to play together, and found a way with Rockets-Clippers trade agreed upon today.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2017
Per Woj, Houston will send Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams, and a future first-round in exchange for Paul.
Paul will now join MVP-candidate James Harden in what likely becomes the top backcourt in the NBA. It will be interesting to see how the two ball-dominate guard mesh now in Houston, but with two guys this talented, there are good odds they will be able to figure something out.
Paul's Bird rights go with him in the trade. Could be eligible to re-sign with the Rockets in the summer of 2018 for 5-years, about $205 mm
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) June 28, 2017
Houston won 55 games last season, largely thanks to an amazing season from Harden. With Chris Paul on board and Houston maintaining many of their good pieces, the Rockets are now a real contender to Golden State out in the West.
