Chris Paul Explains How The Rockets Lied To Him About OKC Trade

BYAlexander Cole8.9K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Chris Paul
The NBA is a cut-throat business.

Back in the summer, Chris Paul was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in what was a shocking deal. Fans had an inkling that the Rockets would trade Paul but they didn't think it would be to the Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Paul has admitted to being shocked by that deal although for now, he is making the best of his situation in OKC.

In a recent article from Sports IllustratedPaul spoke about his trade from the Rockets and how it ultimately surprised him. Paul says he felt sort of lied to as Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told him he wouldn't be going anywhere near OKC. 

Chris Paul Explains How The Rockets Lied To Him About OKC Trade
Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

"After the season I reached out to the [Rockets] and said, ‘Hey, if you guys want to go in a different direction, let us know now. That way we can figure something out,’” Paul said. “They said we’re not trying to go in a different direction. [Morey] asked me if I wanted to go to Oklahoma City. I said no, and he said, ‘We won’t trade you there, because you chose to come to us from L.A.’ He doesn’t owe me anything, but that’s where the whole communication thing was."

At the end of the day, sports are a cut-throat business and players' feelings aren't always taken into account. No matter how much of yourself you give to a team, there will always be a chance you get dealt very far away.


About The Author
Alexander Cole is the current editor-in-chief of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. It was here where he began to hone his craft, putting his journalism degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, to good use. Since that time, he has documented some of the biggest stories in the hip-hop world. From the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef to the disturbing allegations against Diddy, Alex has helped HotNewHipHop navigate large-scale stories as they happen. In 2021, he went to the Bahamas for the Big 3's Championship Game. It was here where he got to interview legendary figures like Ice Cube, Clyde Drexler, and Stephen Jackson. He has also interviewed other superstar athletes such as Antonio Brown, Damian Lillard, and Paul Pierce. This is in addition to conversations with social media provocateurs like Jake Paul, and younger respected artists like Kaycyy, Lil Tecca, and Jeleel!
...