James Harden will have a great partner for the Houston Rockets backcourt – not just great – arguably the best point guard of the game.
This is after the Los Angeles Clippers give Chris Paul the Rockets for the first major off-season trade of the NBA before the free agency market opens on Saturday.
In turn, Rockets give the Clippers Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Montrezl Harrell, and Kyle Wiltjer.
The agreement also includes a 2018 first-round NBA Draft pick of Houston and worth $661,000.
"Any day you can acquire a Hall of Fame-level player is a good day for the franchise," said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.
The 32-year-old point guard helped the United States to win the Olympic gold medal in 2008 in Beijing and in 2012 in London. He will join Harden for the expected 'most dynamic backcourt' next season.
Paul may sign a Clippers new contract worth $34 million a year, but he's more likely to sign a five-year, $205 million maximum extension to the Rockets under the NBA salary cap rules.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Cavaliers are also targeting Paul George but he is most likely to land to OKC.
Chris Paul has the Rockets uniform
