Fansided

Biggest impacts of NBA stars changing teams this offseason

By Joe Romano

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 3: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Isaiah Thomas #4 and Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics during the game on January 3, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New Team – Houston Rockets

Old Team – Los Angeles Clippers

How did he get here? Paul was traded to the Rockets for Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer, a future first round pick, and cash considerations.

What does he enter? Chris Paul enters a Houston Rockets team that saw regular season success last season and finished second in the conference. Paul and new teammate James Harden will look to improve each other’s’ game will running Mike D’Antoni’s up and down system. The two ball dominant guards have never played with a player like they find in each other.

D’Antoni will likely use Paul off-ball more than he has at any other point in his career. Harden and Paul both ranked in the top-five in usage percentage last season, which makes this trade unprecedented. The Rockets are taking their shot at the Warriors, while the rest of the league may be pivoting away from the Golden State powerhouse.

Paul is an elite defender, even as he ages, and lives for his match-ups against Stephen Curry. After Harden’s disaster in the playoffs last year, Rockets GM Daryl Morey had to be thanking the basketball gods that a player like Paul became available.

The team also went out and got veteran 3-and-D wing P.J. Tucker to pair with incumbents Trevor Ariza and sixth-man Eric Gordon. Gordon is revitalizing a career in Houston after some thought he would never return to form. If D’Antoni staggers their minutes, allows the two to play off each other’s strengths we may be seeing an even better Houston offense. The auxiliary pieces added in the off-season, and Paul are all aimed at taking on Golden State.

What is he leaving behind? Chris Paul leaves behind the Los Angeles Clippers, a team he has called home for the past six seasons. He also leaves behind running mate Blake Griffin and commercial buddy DeAndre Jordan.

The Clippers received Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer, a future first round pick, and cash considerations for Paul. This was seen more of a gesture of good-will for Paul than simply leaving via free agency as he may have. However, this also allowed Paul to sign a mega-deal with Houston.

L.A. will pivot it’s offense to run through Blake Griffin, once the star forward is healthy. The front court of Jordan and Griffin will be joined by Danilo Gallinari, who the Clippers traded for this past offseason. The three dynamic forwards will get help from a backcourt of defensive ace Beverly, and scoring sixth man Lou Williams. Incumbent Austin Rivers will likely see an increased offensive load with Paul’s departure. This projects as the deepest Clippers team since Doc Rivers arrived.

Griffin, when healthy, remains a top-15 player in the league. He is a rare blend of speed, size and playmaking ability. He showed in Paul’s absence the capability to be a focal point of an offense. Beverly may be the perfect point guard to pair with Griffin’s unique skill set. He does not demand the ball like most guards, is a solid shooter and one of the best defenders at his position.

This team’s success will boil down to health. Griffin and Gallinari both have had rough injury luck in their career. If they stay healthy, they should be in line for a middle-of-the-pack playoff spot in a tough Western Conference. An extended absence from Griffin, once he returns either to start the season or in December, could be disastrous.

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