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The huge reason to be optimistic on Chris Paul at the Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors following the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns talks with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors following the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors made a seismic trade on Thursday, leaving many fans flummoxed by their decision to deal young guard Jordan Poole as part of a package for 12-time All-Star Chris Paul.

On the surface, moving a 24-year-old explosive guard for a 38-year-old, injury-plagued one is undoubtedly a controversial move. However, new General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Warrior front office are clearly putting faith in Paul’s history as one of the greatest point-guards of all-time.

Despite an awkward fit and potentially clashing styles, there’s one huge reason fans should be optimistic about Chris Paul’s move to the Golden State Warriors.

Now 18 years into a decorated career, Paul has built a lauded reputation as one of the best players of this generation. Yet despite this, any discussion always attracts the fact that he’s never won an NBA championship, having reached the Finals only once with the Phoenix Suns two years ago.

That unfairly paints Paul as a non-winner, and some fans on social media have already claimed that the Warriors are somehow cursed with him now on the roster. The reality is that if the past is any indication, ‘the Point God’ is about to make Golden State a much better team straight away.

Warriors
Jordan Poole and Chris Paul were each traded in a deal between the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards on Thursday. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Paul was originally drafted by the New Orleans Hornets with the fourth overall pick in 2005. After finishing a paltry 18-64 the year before, a rookie-of-the-year Paul elevated the Hornets to a respectable 38-44 record in his debut season.

He would spend six years there before being dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers to play alongside Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan. Immediately upon Paul’s arrival, the Clippers went from a 32-50 team to a 40-26 team in the shortened 2011-12 season.

After another six seasons he moved to Houston to partner with James Harden in a dynamic backcourt. The Rockets were already good the year prior to Paul with 55 wins, though the arrival of the then 32-year-old added an extra 10 wins and gave Houston the Western Conference’s top seed ahead of the Warriors.

Paul then landed on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2019-20 season, with many league-wide viewing him as a deteriorating asset with little value. He ultimately made a mockery of those thoughts, leading a young Thunder team to the fifth-spot in the Western Conference in what was another All-Star season. OKC had a better winning percentage in that season with Paul than they did the year before with both Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

After rehabilitating his value, the Thunder sent Paul to the Suns where he immediately helped them to 17 more wins and a run to the NBA Finals. At this point you get the idea — wherever Paul has gone, that team has gotten significantly better, such is his impact on and off the floor.

So, why can’t that happen again with the Warriors? While he may not have the same important starring role he’s had in the past, that may prove a positive as Paul can focus on 20-25 minutes per game and hopefully preparing for a sustained postseason run.

Next. 3 reasons the Golden State Warriors made blockbuster trade for Chris Paul. dark

It’s clear that after another injury-plagued postseason, and being traded twice in the past week, an unfair perspective has emerged on Paul as an over-the-hill legend. Sure, he’s not the player he once was, but you shouldn’t bet against ‘CP3’ bringing the same winning intangibles to Golden State next season as he has in his previous five destinations.

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