Three weeks ago, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was asked if Chris Paul had asked to be traded, in the wake of yet another post-season loss to the Golden State Warriors and reports of discord between Paul and star guard James Harden.
He said no. Paul had not.
He also was asked if the Rockets had any desire to trade Chris Paul. Again, he said no.
“That’s ridiculous,” Morey said.
And when reports surfaced that the Harden-Paul relationship was, “unsalvageable,” Morey responded curtly, “There’s no truth to that.”
And then Thursday happened.
In a head-spinning blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Morey indeed dealt Paul, sending multiple first-round draft-picks and his credibility out of Houston.
Make no mistake. This was a night when Morey told the world with deeds not words that he is in desperation mode. By sending Paul to OKC in return for a guard who Morey himself criticized publicly as a selfish, stat-padding player, Morey made clear he is more about self-preservation than what’s best for his squad, his star MVP guard and above all else his head coach.
Sure, it will be spun that Westbrook will be an upgrade from the aging Paul. But is he, really?
Over the past five years, Westbrook has averaged 25-points and 10 assists, while shooting 29-percent from 3-point range. Over that same span, Paul averaged nearly 19-points, 9-assists and shot 38-percent from 3-point range. Paul is 34-years-old. Westbrook will soon be 31.
Given his ‘druthers, no doubt D’Antoni would prefer to have a better three-point shooter who is more unselfish and has worked in his offense. That’s Paul, not Westbrook. Also, D’Antoni will be saddled with assistant coaches that Morey will cram down his throat, after firing D’Antoni’s assistants abruptly at the end of last season.
Beyond all that, if it was difficult for Paul and Harden to get along on the court with just one basketball – and it was – imagine the pushing and pulling going on between two former ball-hogging MVPs. And how will D’Antoni handle it?
The Rockets will fancy themselves as better with this blockbuster trade. They’re not.
And at the forefront will be Daryl Morey. In truth, this deal was more about Morey covering his own backside, shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, trying to stay afloat as the waters around him grow more turbulent.