Why Chris Paul didn't want to go to Philly

Yesterday, The Athletic released an article recounting the events that led to Chris Paul being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Phoenix Suns. Paul was a favorite target amongst Sixers fans for a variety of reasons. This article confirmed the front office were also big fans and hoped to acquire Paul but ended up on the outside looking in.

How is Chris Paul doing this?

Every time I'd see old man CP looking like his younger self, I wondered that question. So we went down memory lane, and he even took his mother along for the ride.

In the words of @CP3, at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/PcDNhcM70w
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 23, 2021

According to the article, Doc Rivers, Paul’s former coach, was a big part of their campaign, but ultimately Chris decided on Phoenix over Philly. The reason being he felt it was a better fit professionally and personally and didn’t show much interest in Philly. Fans are likely up in arms about missing out on the star point guard, but there is a backstory about why CP3 didn’t want to be with the Sixers.

A thoroughly exasperated Daryl Morey said Chris Paul and his reps have never asked to trade him and he will be on Rockets next season. Said he and Harden do not have issues with one another and that he has spoken to both often this off-season about free agency evaluations, plans.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) June 18, 2019

Back in Houston, Daryl Morey was in charge while Chris Paul was with the Rockets and new owner Tilman Fertitta came into power. Tilman wanted star power and to appease his star player James Harden, showing interest in Russell Westbrook. Morey wasn’t interested in Westbrook for logical fit reasons. During this, Morey gave Paul his word that he would not be traded. Although this is unconfirmed, it is almost certain that Fertitta forced Morey’s hand into trading Paul for the Thunder star, betraying Chris’s trust.

According to @espn_macmahon on the Chris Paul/Russell Westbrook trade;

“That trade was made because Tilman Fertitta (Rockets Owner) wanted it made. He thought Chris Paul’s contract was the worst he’d ever seen in business or sports.” pic.twitter.com/tXvu9GBLKR
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 16, 2020

With that in mind, Paul likely does not trust nor like Morey and preferred another destination instead of pairing with the former Rockets GM despite it not being his fault. These waters are not uncharted, though. The incompetent owner has made the Sixers lose out on three players now, for better or worse. Fertitta held both James Harden and P.J. Tucker out of spite and moved them for lesser returns to fellow Eastern Conference contenders.

Who knows what Philly would look like if Paul were moved here or if they would be as successful, but Morey has done a fantastic job maneuvering through curveballs thrown at him. Philly is currently 39-20 and tied with the Brooklyn Nets for first in the east and faces Milwaukee later today. Paul’s Phoenix Suns are second in the west at 42-17 and beat the Sixers in a close battle on Wednesday, 116-113.