How Chris Paul trade affects Golden State Warriors

Chris Paul has been shipped to the Phoenix Suns in a move that will have some direct effects on the Golden State Warriors.

It’s officially NBA trade season and while the Golden State Warriors haven’t been active (yet) we have had a star player switch jerseys as Chris Paul is headed to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr. and other assets.

CP3 was one of the main catalysts behind the Oklahoma City Thunder’s cinderella story that saw them overcoming all odds to reach the playoffs and fall just one shot short of advancing to the second round. Paul’s leadership and ability to be a court general helped lift this team of underdogs passed expectations and he might just do the same in Phoenix.

Paul will be joining Devin Booker, a young star who is fresh off the best season of his career. Adding an offensive threat like Paul to the Suns’ backcourt will open the floor for Booker to dominate as one of the best scorers in the league. The Suns fell one game short of reaching the postseason last year and will certainly be in the mix to earn a spot this time around.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are looking to crack themselves back into the playoff picture as well. The return of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, along with newcomer Andrew Wiggins, should be more than enough to push them into one of the top seeds.

However, it doesn’t help that Phoenix just got stronger. Especially considering that with a shortened season – it’s likely the Warriors will play more games within their division than against anyone else.

This means the Dubs must brace for constant matchups with the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. That’s three deadly squads the Warriors will have to face and well… the Kings.

In a season where the Warriors will be attempting to fast track the development process and put all of the pieces together quickly, it is going to be all the more challenging with heightened competition in their own division.