Written by Tim Lewis (@MrTeeLew) — June 30th, 2017

Courtesy of Flickr

Rockets Receive: Chris Paul

Clippers Receive: Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a protected first-round pick next year (1–3) and cash considerations.

What it is:

Chris Paul to the Rockets is an ambitious move. It’s also foolish. Chris Paul is a bad fit for the Houston Rockets.

Both Chris Paul and James Harden are ball-centric floor generals. In fact, it wasn’t until Harden was put in the role of point guard that he reached his potential. By turning the keys over to Harden, he jumped from 7.5 to 11.2 APG in a single season. Additionally, he had less field goal attempts, played two less minutes per game, and still averaged the same number of points. In summary, you only take Harden off the ball if your goal is to make him less efficient.

And yet, Chris Paul has never played without the ball. While having a good shot from distance (41.1% last season), the Rockets would be brain dead to trade Patrick Beverley, only to use his replacement as a more expensive replication.

Last season, the majority of Chris Paul’s shots were mid-range jumpers. This is an “inefficient” shot that Rockets’ GM, Daryl Morey, and coach, Mike D’Antoni seek to limit. By taking 271 mid-range jump shots, Paul accounted for more than half of the 579 Houston attempted as a team.

This pairing will minimize two players that can’t function without the ball: Harden because of his motor and general apathy when the spotlight isn’t on him; Paul because it’s the antithesis to everything he’s ever done. Ultimately the strengths of the two will cannibalize one another, until the identity of the team is a battle for the rock. Whether or not Harden and Paul voice their displeasure publicly is another debate.

Aside from Chris Paul being a bad fit, it’s also a bad trade. Because the former Clipper opted into the last year of his contract before being traded, the deal could potentially be a swap of assets for a one-year rental.

If Paul struggles to pair with Harden the way Ty Lawson did, he will leave the team and seek his championship elsewhere. Promising young players like Sam Decker and Montrezl Harrell, along with core pieces like Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, will be lost for a season of futility. That, to go with Houston’s 2018 1st-round pick.

Daryl Morey has always been an analytics guy, and it’s gotten him pretty far. But to take this team to the next level, he’s got to be a basketball guy too.

What it isn’t:

This is not a concession for the Clippers. Yes, a new chapter has begun. Blake is unlikely to return to a weakened unit. J.J. Redick is already out the door, and a lonesome DeAndre Jordan will certainly eye greener pastures. Meanwhile, Doc Rivers will be sitting there like, well, you know.

Courtesy of GIPHY

However, the Clippers are now having the strings pulled by new consultant and basketball genius, Jerry West. Word is the Laker legend didn’t attend the 90 minute meeting with Chris Paul on the 27th. Not a glowing endorsement for the current core’s role in his “last adventure”.

For “Clippers fans” that got used to winning, albeit inconsequentially, there’s a bitter truth to swallow: The core in place was never going to win a championship. Not with the competition, the drama, not with the flopping, and definitely not by complaining incessantly. There was a rot and it needed to be removed. New seeds need to be planted.

Don’t worry. This is strategic. Let the Warriors get old. Let the Spurs get older. Let LeBron get balder. Hell, maybe you can sign him (probably not).

Questions that Remain:

Are the Clippers headed for a tank-to-the-bottom rebuild, or will they take the Warriors’ route?

Who does Paul play for in 2018/19? Where does he fit?

Where will J.J. Redick go?

Who is the go-to guy on the Clippers next year?

When both are on the floor, who brings the ball up, Harden or Paul? Who averages more assists?

Daryl Morey referred to the NBA as a “weapons race”. After laying waste to his team acquiring Chris Paul, he’s unlikely to be finished. With whispers of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, do the Rockets have what it takes to land another star player?

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