In a wild eight-player deal, the Houston Rockets have acquired nine-time all-star Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.
Source: Terms of Clippers-Rockets deal: For @CP3, Houston sends Williams, Beverley, Dekker, Liggins, Hilliard, Harrell, Wiltjer, FRP + $661K
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 28, 2017
One of the assets that Los Angeles acquired in exchange for Paul was former Wisconsin Badgers star Sam Dekker. Dekker averaged 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds across 77 games in his second NBA season last year. He will be a part of a completely revamped Clippers squad who could also lose forward Blake Griffin and guard J.J. Redick in free agency as well.
Houston, thanks for welcoming me with open arms. I gave my all every time I was on the court. Time to get to work for LA! #Clips
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 28, 2017
Los Angeles also received Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Wiltjer, a 2018 first round pick, and $661,000.
On the other side, Houston can now pair two all-star guards together - Paul and James Harden. Harden is coming off the best year of his career in 2016-17, where he averaged 29.1 points and 11.2 assists. He was named to the all-NBA first team and finished second in the MVP voting.
The Rockets have been in search of the "next piece" since Daryl Morey took over as general manager in 2007. After a failed partnership between Harden and Dwight Howard, Harden put together a solo act last season en route to 55 wins before Houston bowed out in the second round of the playoffs to San Antonio.
Ironically, Houston is bringing in Paul as they look to make the leap from good to great - Paul has never made the Western Conference Finals during his 12-year career.
