Chris Paul landing with the Golden State Warriors was unexpected, and the mixed reaction to the move is evidence of that.
There’s no doubt the basketball fit Paul could serve. Assuming he’s coming off the bench – which seems like something he would prefer wasn’t assumed – Paul could help form a really dynamic second unit.
The problem though is that Paul and the Warriors have had a rivalry with each other, and Paul has not been a player who comes off the bench throughout his career. Maybe the 38-year-old will buy in, but there are some factors working against the possibility of Paul and Golden State being a good match.
NBA insider Frank Isola expressed some trepidation that things will go as planned.
“I feel like saying to Chris Paul blink twice if you feel like you’re being held hostage. I loved when he’s asked about the Warriors, ‘Yeah I’m really looking forward to it. Should be great playing there,” Isola said, droning. “Come on. The Warriors have been a major rival of his, Steph Curry has had all this incredible success in terms of individual awards, team awards. Chris Paul – not financially, Chris Paul is fine there – but you can’t tell me that he’s thrilled to be joining a team that always used to beat him.
“And doesn’t it make the most sense for him to come off the bench? So not only is he joining that team most likely coming off the bench – I still wonder if there’s a chance he could be traded somehow. Who knows. With James Harden out there, Damian Lillard, maybe something is going to happen.”
Indeed, more blockbuster-level moves likely are on the way around the league. However, the Warriors introduced Paul earlier this week, something that suggests they don’t intend to just flip him right away. But this has been a weird offseason, and Paul as a Warrior is a weird thought, so maybe the option of moving him somewhere else is on the table.
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