The Golden State Warriors shook the NBA world by announcing they were trading Jordan Poole for 38-year-old Chris Paul.

Paul will now be the team’s backup point guard behind two-time MVP and four-time NBA champion, Stephen Curry, after years of battling each other in the league.

The Warriors have thwarted Paul’s quest for an elusive NBA title twice. Although injury prone, he brings calmness and experience Golden State lacked from their bench in the 2023 postseason.

Paul is entering his 19th NBA season and averaged a career-low 13.9 points and 8.9 assists for the Phoenix Suns last season in 59 games, per ESPN.

Curry and the Warriors beat Paul’s Houston Rockets in the playoffs in 2018 and 2019.

Curry on Paul joining Warriors

Curry and Klay Thompson were recently asked by the Athletic about their thoughts on Paul, their long-time rival, joining them.

“Every team that CP has been on gets better.” Curry said. “That’s the most consistent thing about him, and who he is and what he brings to the team. Everybody’s going to talk about the age. It’s on us to put that all together and figure out how all the pieces work.”

Thompson is excited to play with a leader like Paul:

“Any time you get to play with a player who is one of the best of your generation it’s an honor… I think he’s just going to add such a calming presence and leadership component that we need.”
Paul has started every single game of his career (1,214 regular-season games and 149 postseason games), and it will be interesting to see how Steve Kerr uses him.

Paul on playing with Curry

Sports Brief previously reported on Paul discussing playing alongside Curry, a player he’s known for a long time.

The 18-year veteran, considered one of the best point guards of all time, said his wife attended Curry’s wedding.

Paul said he was excited at the chance to play at the Warriors with Curry, Thompson, and their other veterans.