Chris Paul demands trade from Houston Rockets and relationship with James Harden 'can't be fixed' - reports
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Wednesday 19 June 2019 06:56, UK
Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul wants out of Houston, and his relationship with MVP candidate James Harden is "unsalvageable".
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According to Yahoo Sports, Paul approached management to demand a trade following the season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Moving Paul and his three-year, $124m contract will not be easy, though general manager Daryl Morey has been open about having trade discussions involving all of his players other than Harden this offseason.
"It can't be fixed," a league source told Yahoo Sports about the Harden-Paul partnership.
The rift between Paul and Harden became so severe that after going "nearly two months" during the season without speaking to one another, Harden followed suit with a "him or me" demand of his own to Morey, Yahoo reported Tuesday.
In addition, Harden has refused to communicate with Paul this offseason, according to the report.
"There's no respect at all, on either side," a source told Yahoo Sports. "They need to get away from one another. Chris doesn't respect James' standing in the league, and James doesn't respect the work Chris has put in to this point."
Center Clint Capela could also be traded by the Rockets, as could Eric Gordon or PJ Tucker.
Capela signed a five-year, $90m contract prior to last season. Capela turned 25 in May, after averaging 16.6 points, 12.7 rebounds (fifth in the NBA) and 1.5 blocks per game in 2018-19.
Among teams thought to have interest in Capela are the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers.
Watch the 2019 NBA Draft live on Sky Sports late on Thursday night (midnight)
