Chris Paul Discusses Trade to Houston, Says “It Was Time for A Change”

Last month, the Houston Rockets acquired Chris Paul in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and more. Initially, reports surfaced claiming issues between Paul, Doc Rivers and his son Austin, led Paul’s move to Houston after six seasons. However, Austin refuted the rumors, revealing he spoke to Paul over the phone and there was no bad blood between the two or his father.

Paul also addressed his move with Marc J Spears of the Undefeated, saying he was simply ready for a change. He revealed the team’s coach agreed, as well.

“It had nothing to do with who was in L.A., but more to do with who was in Houston,” Paul revealed.

“I feel like the last six years we’ve had a great run,” he said. “I felt like it was not only a good time for a change for me but for the team, too. Everyone says, ‘We get killed. We can’t get there. We just can’t get over the hurdle.’ I felt like it was time for a change.”

Although Paul was ready to move on from the Clippers, his 8-year-old son didn’t take the news too well.

“Little Chris was definitely the toughest,” Paul revealed. “When I told him, he cried, which broke me down,” he said, adding that his daughter took the news a bit easier.

“The funniest person I had to tell about it was my daughter,” he said. “When I told her, she just looked at me and said, ‘Is Mommy coming?’ That’s the rawness of kids. My daughter is 4, and she don’t care where we go, she just wants her mommy there.”