Chris Paul’s style could clash with Golden State Warriors’ traditional brand of basketball

Newly appointed general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. swung for the fences on Thursday afternoon as the Golden State Warriors shut down the ‘Poole Party’ for good, shipping Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and future draft picks to Washington in exchange for future Hall of Fame point-guard Chris Paul.

Paul’s arrival in Golden State feels surreal on multiple fronts. First, he’s had a long-standing rivalry with the Warriors throughout his career. From his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers to his time with the Houston Rockets, the Warriors have always stood in CP3’s way, obstructing his path to securing that elusive championship ring.

Second, trading Poole for Paul signals the end of the Warriors’ two-track experiment. Golden State envisioned a world where they could compete for titles with their Curry-Thompson-Green nucleus, while simultaneously fostering the growth of a promising group of young talent, seemingly poised to assume the mantle when the inevitable transition beckoned. But acquiring Paul at this stage of his career shows that Dunleavy Jr. and the front office are fully committed to winning right now.

Even at 38-years-old Chris Paul is a premier floor general in the NBA, but his methodical style of play might interrupt the Golden State Warriors’ fast-paced offense.

Part of the reason Chris Paul is always among the league leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio is his ability to slowly and strategically break down opposing defenses. Paul is far from the scorer he once was, but the veteran point guard continues to be an effective playmaker no matter who is around him.

Averaging 8.9 assists to just 1.9 turnovers this season, Paul showed that he still has some gas left in the tank. His first step was practically diminished and his jumper appeared to be on its last legs, but Paul could always bank on his patience and court vision to make his stamp on the game.

Per ESPN’s Hollinger Team Statistics, the Suns’ offense operated at the 18th fastest clip in the NBA this season at 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, a clear reflection of CP3’s measured offensive approach. On the other hand, the Golden State racked up 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, good for the fastest pace in the league.

The Warriors, for as long as they’ve been a dynasty, have employed a free-flowing offense in which the ball rarely sticks in the hands of one singular player. Stephen Curry may be the team’s designated point guard, but the two-time MVP often begins possessions away from the ball, while either Draymond Green or Kevon Looney initiates the offense from the top of the key.

Curry is just as dangerous with the ball as he is without it, and the same can be said about his teammate Klay Thompson when he’s hot. The “Splash Bros” never stop moving, and as they run through a series of screens and cuts, defenses are forced to shift, which opens up lanes to the basket and generates catch-and-shoot opportunities along the perimeter.

With Paul in the mix, will we see even more of Curry off the ball, or will CP3 be forced to adapt and learn how to be effective without the ball as well? Only time will tell, but the Warriors have their work cut out for them if this experiment is going to work.

Paul is not necessarily a perfect fit on a team that already features two elite playmakers in Green and Curry, but his basketball mind is sharp and he understands the game on a higher level than most.

Golden State will now turn their focus to re-signing Green who became an unrestricted free agent earlier in the week after declining his $27 million player option. With Poole‘s massive contract off the books and more young assets in the chamber, the Warriors will continue to look for ways to improve their roster in free agency as they gear up for one more championship run.