LA Clippers trade Chris Paul to Houston Rockets

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By CGTN's Yan Yangchen & Mu Dan

NBA prestigious point guard Chris Paul was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Houston Rockets in the first major move of the off-season, with free agency looming on Saturday.

According to reports by the Houston Chronicle and ESPN, the Rockets sent the Clippers in exchange guards Patrick Beverly and Lou Williams, forward Sam Dekker, four other role players, and a 2018 first round Draft Pick.

CGTN Photo‍

The 32-year-old point guard, who spent six seasons in Los Angeles, will join shooting guard James Harden on the Rockets in what might be the NBA's most dynamic backcourt next season.

CP3 faced a Wednesday deadline to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

Chris Paul playing against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs. /VCG Photo

"The more point guards you have on the floor, the better it is. Whether James is running the pick and roll and Chris can hit the shots, the ball swings to him, and then he's gone. You can't stop him. Whether it's Chris bringing it up, or James, we'll figure it out," said Mike D’Antoni, Huston Rockets coach.

Paul could have signed a new deal with the Clippers at 34 million US dollars a year had he opted out, but can now ink a five-year, 205-million-US-dollar maximum extension with Houston under NBA salary cap rules.