Chris Paul Was Lied to by Daryl Morey Before OKC Thunder Trade
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Chris Paul back in the Summer of 2019 after shipping off Paul George to the Clippers, and franchise pillar Russell Westbrook in a swap for Paul.
That led the Thunder on a surprise run in the 2019-20 season, ending in a seven-game series against the Houston Rockets in the NBA Bubble.
In that time, Paul looked every bit the future Hall of Famer he is and was eventually traded to Phoenix helping lead the Suns to the NBA Finals.
Though, being traded to the Thunder was a surprise, and a feat of deception as the legendary point guard recalls the Summer of 2019 on The Why Podcast With Dwayne Wade.
“I go over to the gym to go work out, I am in Vegas, and Daryl calls me, He said, ‘I was just calling you to make sure you didn’t wanna go to OKC.’ I was like, ‘No, why? I done moved 15 people to Houston.’ And he was like, ‘Okay, I was just making sure.’ Paul reflected on the move.
"He was like 'I would never trade you to somewhere you did not want to go because you chose to come to us from the Clippers' that is what [Daryl Morey] had said to me," the veteran point guard recalled.
"So then I go down to Peach Jam, and Collin Sexton came down to work out with me. I am at the house chilling, and I was on the phone with Jada, and next thing you know it said that I was getting trade." Paul continued "Then my phone started ringing and it was Daryl [Morey] calling...Daryl was like ‘hey man it just moves so fast’.”
The future Hall of Fame Point Guard just wanted to know one thing "You said you wasn't going to trade me to Oklahoma City, right? he said 'yup I said that, but' that is all I needed to know," Paul cut him off.
This is not the first time Morey has been accused by a former player of being a liar. Though, Paul made the best of the situation, and is still credited with helping Shai Gilgeous-Alexander become an MVP-caliber player.
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