Kentucky Basketball: How the Chris Paul trade affects two former Wildcats
Chris Paul is headed to the Houston Rockets in a trade that has the NBA world in a frenzy. Two former Kentucky Basketball players could be affected in the aftermath of the trade.
Chris Paul has been at the top of his game for nearly a decade. As one of the best point guards in the league, he will now team up with one of the best overall players in the league in James Harden. But, with the aftermath of the trade, two former Kentucky Basketball players could be affected.
Kyle Wiltjer played at Kentucky for two seasons. He began his career in 2011-2012 along with Anthony Davis. Kentucky Basketball fans know that team all too well. Anyway, Wiltjer, of course, transferred to Gonzaga where he would star for Mark Few and company. After he graduated, he went undrafted, but picked up by the Houston Rockets.
Last season, Wiltjer split time with the Houston Rockets as well as the Rockets’ G-League team. He played in 14 games for the Rockets last season. The Chris Paul trade sent Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverly, Kyle Wiltjer, Montrezl Harrell and Deandre Liggins and a draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Source: Terms of Clippers-Rockets deal: For @CP3, Houston sends Williams, Beverley, Dekker, Liggins, Hilliard, Harrell, Wiltjer, FRP + $661K
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2017
Wiltjer may have had an opportunity to get into the rotation in Houston. But, now, the Los Angeles Clippers are bringing in quite the haul for Chris Paul. Two wildcats will be making their way to the city of angels.
In other news
Deandre Liggins has been traded to the Rockets as well. In somewhat of a surprise, Liggins was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Rockets for Cash Considerations. It was unknown whether or not Liggins is also in the plans to enter the defensive facilitator role. The loss of Patrick Beverly, one of the premier defenders in the league would need to be replaced. Higgins would’ve been able to fill that role.
The former Kentucky defensive stallwart began the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers but was released toward the end of the regular season. While with the Cavaliers, Lebron James and company had high praise for the former Wildcat.
Now, Liggins is in a different situation just months later. In a proposed plan, the Rockets may be gearing up to send Liggins among others away in the Chris Paul trade.
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Whether or not the Clippers do anything with Deandre Liggins or Kyle Wiltjer, it is cool to see such a high profile trade like Chris Paul have an effect on a couple of Kentucky Basketball players.