The Rockets have emerged as an “increasingly serious” threat in the Chris Paul sweepstakes, league sources tell Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Stein is the second ESPN reporter this week to make such a claim — Chris Haynes said on Monday that he has heard Houston has a “serious chance” to land Paul.
According to Stein, MVP finalist James Harden has been advocating for the Rockets to go after Paul, having made his interest in playing alongside the veteran point guard clear to both the team and to CP3 himself.
As Stein notes, the Rockets would have to make some cost-cutting moves in order to clear the cap space necessary to make a real run at Paul. Ryan Anderson, Patrick Beverley, and Lou Williams are among the players believed to be on the trade block, with ESPN’s report suggesting that Houston is focused on finding a taker for Anderson’s salary, which will be worth nearly $20MM in 2017/18.
Despite the classification of the Rockets as a “serious” suitor for Paul, I’m skeptical of the fit. Houston excelled this past season playing a fast-paced style with Harden running the point. Paul has generally played at a much slower pace, and incorporating him into the offense would mean taking the ball out of Harden’s hands. Additionally, I think the Rockets would probably have to attach at least one valuable asset – such as a future first-round pick – to Anderson’s contract in order to gain any traction in trade talks.
Still, according to Stein, the Clippers continue to worry that Paul could bolt in free agency, and view Houston and San Antonio as legitimate threats. We heard earlier today that CP3’s camp sat down with the Clippers on Tuesday to discuss the point guard’s future. The two sides plan to meet again a few days from now.
PLEASE COME TO H-TOWN!!!!!!!!
This move would be good, Harden can go back to beast mode offensively and average 32 ppg next season.
“fast-paced style”
When you don’t watch the games and just follow a narrative but don’t realize they were middle of the road in pace. Harden has been candid about his preference to bring the ball up and get into rhythm deliberately.
The Rockets were third in the league in pace and first among playoff teams.
Luke dropping facts on you
this is not happening. I’m worried about the spurs but not the rockets.
Makes zero sense
Wolves trade Rubio and 2nd for Beverly and Ariza. Who says no?
The wolves would take that deal in a second, both are superb defenders.
Chris Paul would be a terrible fit on the Rockets. You can’t have two ball dominant guards on the same team. They both need the ball to be successful. The Rockets would be much better off going after Paul Millsap if they want to add another star player.
But then what do they do with Anderson? Who do you think would take him in a salary dump?
No
Chris Paul plays too much defense, terrible fit.
As a Mavs fan I hope he does go to HOU. He’s never taken a team to the conference finals and I don’t see it happening if he goes there. I actually don’t think it makes them better. They would be losing a sharp shooter and their best defender.
Mavs fan? That’s sad. Here’s a dollar…
This will not happen. Chris needs the ball in his hands to be CP3, and that won’t happen in H-Town. Plus, Houston will have to move so much cap space off of the books that they’ll not have enough good role players left to beat the best teams in the West. He may be a better fit in San Antonio than H-Town, but I don’t see him leaving the Clippers.
Do you enjoy being wrong?
Still skeptical now?