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Report: Chris Paul never asked for trade, but told Rockets he would understand if they went in different direction

Chris Paul, Rockets

All-Star point guard Chris Paul reportedly never asked to be traded by the Houston Rockets, but did tell management he would understand if Houston wanted to go younger and move him, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

There was a rumor suggesting Paul had demanded a trade and that his relationship with James Harden wasn’t salvageable. CP3 soon denied those rumors.

Paul arguably has the worst contract in the NBA, so even if the Rockets really wanted to trade CP3, they would likely not find a taker. Houston reportedly “quietly discussed” trades involving Paul in recent weeks, but nothing came close. Paul will make $38,506,482 next season, $41,358,814 in 2020-21 and has a player option worth $44,211,146 for the 2021-22 season.

Once the Rockets told Paul they were still in championship mode and wanted to keep him, that’s all the future Hall of Famer needed to hear:

The Rockets let Paul know that their intent was actually the opposite, however: That they wanted to keep him and keep contending in the Western Conference. For Paul, that was all he needed to hear. He’s been committed to the cause in Houston.

This past season, Paul averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists. The nine-time All-Star shot 41.9 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line.

It looks like the Rockets are going to bank on Paul and Harden finding a way to co-exist on the floor and lead Houston to the promised land in 2019-20.

The post Report: Chris Paul never asked for trade, but told Rockets he would understand if they went in different direction appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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