GM survey proves why Chris Paul will fit at the Golden State Warriors

Chris Paul’s fit at the Golden State Warriors has been a major cause for debate this offseason, yet any potential issues may have been overblown based on the 38-year-old’s debut with the team last Saturday.

While he played less than 13 minutes of game time, Paul looked assured and comfortable in his role alongside the other Warrior veterans. The offensive chemistry between he, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson was largely crisp, while the trio combined for 10 rebounds to help alleviate the unit’s lack of size.

The recent NBA General Manager survey proves exactly why Chris Paul will be an effective fit at the Golden State Warriors this season.

Although one game is far from a legitimate sample size to evaluate Paul’s fit at the Warriors, NBA.com’s General Manager survey further proves why the 12-time All-Star will ultimately be a short-term upgrade on the departed Jordan Poole.

Paul received the third-most votes for the player with the highest basketball IQ in the league, while he also received votes for the league’s best passer. While these are hardly a surprise, it does reiterate how those elements should allow the 19-year veteran to fit seamlessly into the Golden State offense.

An underrated aspect to Paul’s acquisition is the veteran experience and leadership he can provide. That was signified in the fact he was voted the active player most likely to make the best head coach in the future, while he also received votes for ‘best leader’.

Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Paul is expected to run a second-unit that includes 21-year-old’s Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga. The leadership and experience could prove particularly fruitful for Kuminga who has already participated in plenty of pick-up ball with Paul across the offseason.

"“I mean, obviously we all knew Chris Paul was one of the best point guards to ever touch a basketball…I’m just looking forward to getting better every single day, to learn more because he’s been around this game for a very long time,” Kuminga said on media day."

Although Paul’s lack of size may initiate defensive issues amid a relatively small Golden State roster, his experience and IQ should still be helpful for a team that significantly struggled on that end of the floor at times last season.