Chris Paul has broken his silence after being traded to the Golden State Warriors for Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, and two future draft picks to the Wizards, just days after being traded to Washington from the Phoenix Suns for Bradley Beal.
At this stage of his career, Paul is aware of his status as a complimentary piece to a championship team rather than being the superstar who carries a team to the NBA Finals, especially as a 38-year-old veteran who will look to integrate himself into a core group of players who have won four NBA championships together.
Through 18 seasons in the NBA, Paul has played in over 1,200 NBA games, managing to register every minute on the floor as a starter - not as a reserve or backup to any player. With the Warriors, that position is secured by Stephen Curry - who owns Warriors franchise records for all-time scoring, assists, and steals.
Appearing on NBA Today, the 18-year NBA veteran joined the program to discuss his new memoir “Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and off the Court,” his trade to the Golden State Warriors, and his first quotes on playing with the NBA Championship core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
When Paul was asked how he felt about the trade, he vocalized a consistent theme of focusing on winning - something the Warriors organization has become accustomed to since the birth of their dominance in 2015. Paul put his belief in Coach Kerr and GM Mike Dunleavy due to their longevity together and stated how important consistency and players knowing their role is on the quest to the title.
Mirror Sport looks at the highlights of CP3's quotes regarding his relationship with Curry, how he will fit in with the Warriors, and his quest to compete for an NBA championship.
Steph Curry relationship
"Me and Steph have known each other for a long time. My wife was at his wedding, he and his wife were at our wedding. We’ve known each other for a very long time, and I’m excited to get the chance to play alongside him, Klay, Wig, Draymond, all of them, man."
"They have got an unbelievable organization, and the team has been playing together for a while, and they know what they are doing."
‘Beat Golden State’ when with Houston
"It happens around this league all the time. It’s probably the first situation I’ve been in like that, but when you get out there on the court with guys that are like-minded and love to play the game the same way I love to, I’m excited about it."
"It’s always a new process when you’re going to a new team. I’ve done that a number of times now, but I’ve definitely been excited about this because these guys know what it’s all about. They’ve been there and won repeatedly, so I’m glad to be part of that process."
What playing for Golden State will be like
"I don’t know, that’s just a thought right now. Hopefully, before camp starts, we’ll get a chance to see what that looks like, but I’m probably just like everybody else, wondering this or that, and you don’t figure that stuff out until you actually get in the gym and start playing."
His fit on the Golden State roster
"I don’t know yet. Everybody is always talking. I’ve always tried to pride myself on being a hooper, so whatever team or organization I went into, we figured it out and made it work, and I think that’s going to be the case here."
Fake laugh at Steve Kerr
"That’s a funny one, that’s always in every group chat that you’re in, probably for the rest of my life."
Championship quest
"I would say so (it’s the only thing missing), that’s pretty obvious. I’m going into my 19th season, and every season has been the same plan, going and trying to win a championship. That’s not going to change this year."
Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr affirmed his belief that the franchise is going through a transition phase, and the addition of Paul could be the slight tweak that the team needs to return to the NBA Finals rather than a full overhaul that would have reshaped the look of the entire team.
The Warriors coach has long admired Paul's game on the court and sees him as a valuable presence in a leadership role with the tools necessary to lead the Warrior's second unit filled with promised players in Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Patrick Baldwin Jr.
