Los Angeles Clippers Trade Chris Paul To Houston Rockets

The Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement that will send Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets in return for Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams and a protected 2018 first-round pick.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Chris Paul and his representatives reportedly met with Clippers officials in Los Angeles to discuss his future on Monday. Paul had until Wednesday to opt out of the final year of his $24.1 million contract, which would have resulted in him becoming an unrestricted free agent, and ultimately free to leave the Clippers for nothing.

Paul joined the Clippers as part of a multi-team trade back in 2011 before re-signing with the team on a five-year, $107 million max contract. In six seasons with Los Angeles, Paul averaged 18.8 points, 9.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds.

The attention now turns to the Clippers’ front office and unrestricted free agent-to-be Blake Griffin, who is eligible to sign a five-year max extension worth $172 million with Los Angeles, or four years and $128 million if he decides to take his talents elsewhere.

The team has a difficult decision to make going forward, with J.J Redick also reportedly attracting big money interest from both the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

Head Coach Doc Rivers isn’t likely to be excited about the prospect of a full-blown rebuild, but if the team is unable to secure their five-time All-Star on a long-term contract, then the choice may be taken out of his hands.

The arrival of Patrick Beverley, a First Team All-Defensive point guard; Lou Williams, who was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2015; and 23-year-old small-forward Sam Dekker, should help ease the pain a little for distraught Clipper fans. Couple that with the 2018 first-round pick, which will reportedly be top-3 protected, gives the team something they have desperately lacked in previous years. Trade assets.