The NBA world, and Warriors’ fans in particular, were shocked by a trade that sent Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, a 2030-protected first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Wizards for Chris Paul.
Poole was a key part of the Warriors’ championship run last year. This season, he averaged 20 points a game and 4 assists on shooting splints of 43/33/87 but struggled during the Warriors’ second-round loss where he just averaged 10 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds on shooting splints of 34/25/76.
Can a 38-year-old veteran and future Hall of Famer help the Warriors win the 2024 NBA championship or not?
This season, Chris Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and a steal and a half on shooting splints of 44/37/83. However, he suffered injuries during the playoffs, and that production dropped to 12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal and a half, on 41/32/50. Chris Paul has dealt with many injuries during the playoffs, which have made him a liability.
Despite Paul’s injury history, he’s made each team he has joined better. When he was drafted to the Pelicans, he brought a team that was 18-64 to a 34-48 record. When he joined the Clippers, he brought a team that was 32-50 to a 40-26 record.
When Chris Paul joined the Rockets, he brought a team from a 55-27 record to a 65-17 record. In the 2019-2020 NBA season, he brought OKC, a team that was predicted to go 33-49 by ESPN, to a 44-28 record.
When he joined the Phoenix Suns, he brought them from a team that was 34-39 to a 51-21 record and the NBA finals. Overall, Chris Paul’s high basketball IQ and playmaking ability allow him to thrive on whatever team he is on.
However, the fit with the Warriors will be interesting for Chris Paul. For one, he is most likely going to play the 6th man role, which is something he hasn’t ever done in his entire career. Adding to this, he has had a tenuous history with the Warriors. Chris Paul’s Clippers defeated the Warriors in the first round in 2014, starting a rivalry between him and his now new team.
After 2014, the Warriors dominated the Clippers. Later on, in 2018, Paul and the Rockets took a 3-2 lead over the Warriors but they came back, eliminating Paul once again.
Draymond Green and Paul have had a challenging relationship, and Green has addressed this in interviews. However, he also expressed his respect for him saying, “But I respect his hustle and I respect his IQ. He’s smart as hell,” in a podcast for All the Smoke in 2020.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both shared their thoughts on Chris Paul to The Athletic.
Thompson expressed his excitement to play with Paul saying, “Anytime you get to play with a player who is one of the best of your generation it’s an honor. It’s a little weird because we’ve had so many battles in the past with Chris, and he’s led so many teams that nearly knocked us off or did knock us off all the way back in 2014. I think he’s just going to add such a calming presence and leadership component that we need. For me, it’s going to be a smooth transition playing with such a passer and playmaker, I’m just excited.”
Curry shared his praise for Paul saying, “Every team that CP has been on gets better. That’s the most consistent thing about him, and who he is and what he brings to the team. Everybody’s going to talk about the age. It’s on us to put that all together and figure out how all the pieces work.”
On the Warriors, Paul can use his abilities to create opportunities for multiple players. His tempo and high IQ will allow him to thrive in the Warriors’ system. While Jordan Poole did provide scoring and some facilitating, he was turnover prone. Chris Paul can add something to the scoring table and provide amazing facilitating with few turnovers.
Furthermore, Chris Paul is a great perimeter defender and he’s had nine all-defensive selections and six steal champions in his career. He can help fix the defensive void the Warriors had last year.
Overall, the Warriors made a good move in acquiring Chris Paul. If Paul stays healthy throughout the regular season and playoffs, then the Warriors can win the 2024 NBA championship..
