CHRIS Paul is teaming up with James Harden in Houston as the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to send the All-Star point guard to the Rockets in a trade on Wednesday morning (Wednesday night, Manila time).
League sources told The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski that Paul beat Wednesday’s deadline to opt in on his final year of a $24.2 million deal with the Clippers to pave the way for a deal with the Rockets.
In exchange for Paul, the Rockets are sending Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick (protected nos. 1-3) as well as some minor parts of the package, like non-guaranteed contracts, to the Clippers.
By opting in, the 32-year-old Paul is eligible for a five-year, $205M extension with the Rockets, where it’s reported that he intends to sign due to his strong desire to play alongside fellow All-Star Harden.
The Clippers stood to gain young assets as well as a draft pick instead of losing Paul to free agency for nothing.
The nine-time All-Star and All-Defensive team member Paul averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game in 12 seasons in the NBA.
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