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Golden State Warriors Owner Joe Lacob recently shed light on his initial reluctance to seal the deal for the veteran point guard Chris Paul. The acquisition of the 12-time All-Star took time to appeal to him, revealing the complexities behind high-profile NBA trades.
During the NBA Draft Day in June, the Warriors raised many eyebrows when they traded Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and upcoming draft assets to the Washington Wizards. In return, they bagged Chris Paul and also secured rights for the 57th overall pick, Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Joe Lacob Doubts on Paul's Acquisition
Lacob’s initial reaction to the possibility of Chris Paul donning the Warriors' jersey was scepticism. “When I first contemplated the idea of Chris joining us, it seemed far-fetched," he remarked during an exclusive with the Athletic's Tim Kawakami.
"But upon reflection and weighing our options, his unparalleled prowess on the court became undeniable. He’s not just a remarkable player but has an innate ability to amplify everyone else’s game," he added. This trade sent ripples through the NBA community, with many fans and analysts echoing Lacob’s initial reservations.
However, as the dust settled, many began to acknowledge the tactical advantage that a player of Paul's calibre could offer the Warriors in the near term. A crucial factor that's on everyone's mind is Paul’s adaptability in this new chapter of his career.
The 18-season NBA stalwart, who has consistently been in the starting lineup, might now find himself coming off the bench, given the presence of Warriors' star, Stephen Curry. Though Chris Paul's resume boasts of myriad achievements, an NBA championship title remains conspicuously absent.
Lacob, however, is optimistic about this narrative changing, musing, “With the synergy of our team, perhaps this is where he’ll clinch that coveted title." Last season, representing the Phoenix Suns, Paul had an impressive average of 32 minutes across 59 games.
He recorded an average of 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.9 assists, with a shooting accuracy of 44% from the field and a commendable 37.5% from beyond the arc.