Rockets procure Paul in eight-player deal
Chris Paul is heading to Houston to join James Harden, and the Rockets will soon have two all-stars in the backcourt to lead their chase for a championship.
In the NBA’s second blockbuster trade in less than a week, the Rockets acquired Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a protected first-round pick next year and cash considerations.
The Rockets acquired Hilliard from Detroit and Liggins from Dallas for cash considerations before adding them to the deal.
Both the Clippers and Houston will look far different next season than they did when they fell short in the playoffs again just six weeks ago.
The roster overhauls come five days after the Minnesota Timberwolves sent three players to the Chicago Bulls for all-star Jimmy Butler to kick things off with NBA free agency opening on Saturday.
Paul, 32, will soon be playing for his third team after opting in for the last year of his contract so the Clippers could work on a deal.
The nine-time all-star has averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals over his 12-year career.
RAPS ELEVATE WEBSTER
The Toronto Raptors have promoted Bobby Webster to general manager following the departure of Jeff Weltman to the Magic last month.
Webster moves into the job after working as the team’s vice-president of basketball strategy since 2016. He joined the front office in 2013, helping construct a roster that won three straight division titles.
One of his first tasks will be helping president Masai Ujiri decide what to do with Toronto’s glut of free agents, including star point guard Kyle Lowry, big man Serge Ibaka and defensive stalwarts Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker.
Meanwhile, Ujiri became the subject of rumours on Wednesday when a report on the basketball blog The Vertical said Knicks owner James Dolan is interested in bringing Ujiri to New York to replace the team’s departed president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson.