Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the organization have not yet been allowed to speak publicly about the Chris Paul trade, but Kerr’s comments spoke volumes during Friday’s introductory press conference for 2023 NBA draft picks Branden Budzimski and Trace Jackson-Davis.
“It’s going to be a lot different,” Kerr told The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami. “The last thing I would do is say anything about a team that just won the championship a year ago and then fought through a tough season. They had a remarkable run at the end of this year.”
At many NBA betting sites, the Warriors hold the fifth-shortest odds of winning a championship next season in 2024. Check sportsbooks that show better odds with the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.
CP3 when Steve Kerr told him he was coming off the bench pic.twitter.com/cP6JZeUPbk
– barstoolsports June 22, 2023
“I’ve loved this group we’ve had the last couple of years,” Steve Kerr added. “But the bigger point is that we felt we needed a shift. Not that we needed an overhaul, but that we needed some kind of change. I think everyone in the organization felt that.
“And it seems like we’ve made a very important shift without giving up who we are and our sense of who we are as a team. I think, overall, it’s a very positive shift.”
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr highlights Chris Paul’s deal without actually touching it, and hopes the addition of the 18-year-old veteran will help free up Stephen Curry
Last Sunday, the Washington Wizards were traded Bradley Bell To the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, Jordan Goodwin, Isaiah Todd, and several second-round draft picks and pick-up swaps.
This past Thursday, the Wizards then traded Paul to the Warriors for Jordan Paul, Ryan Hollins, a protected 2030 first-round top 20 pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.
Chris Paul is expected to run his attacking style with Golden State’s second unit. 12-time All-Stars may get chances to close halves with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Kerr is most determined to improve the Warriors’ passing game. Paul can still pressure defenses and create enough interval for open shots.
Chris Paul during this great interview with @employeeWhen joining the Warriors:
He says he’s grateful for the opportunity to play for Golden State and play with Steve Kerr. He’s definitely not interested in fitting in on the field:https://t.co/gXKKOLkxUb pic.twitter.com/LtT71W8bmZ
– Shin Young (YoungNBA) June 23, 2023
“When we were at our best, this team had a lot of good passing, a lot of links, a lot of guys who understood how to play Steve and free him up and use his gravity to slide in quick passes or create shots on the other side of the floor,” Kerr stated.
In 59 starts with the Suns in the 2022-23 regular season, Paul averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 32 minutes per game. CP3 also shot 44% from the ground and 37.5% off the arc. The 18-year-old veteran also finished 20th in steals (91) and 12th in steal percentage (2.4%).
Paul ranks third among active guards with 21,755 career points, trailing James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers (24,693) and Russell Westbrook of the Los Angeles Clippers (24,457). Curry Warriors (21,712) ranks fourth overall.