Chris Paul
pr 30, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) defends Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) as he looks to pass the ball in the first period of game seven of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS

A blockbuster trade rocked the NBA on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Clippers shipped disgruntled point guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets. The trade appears to benefit all parties as the 32-year-old stands to earn a more lucrative contract with the Rockets, while the Clippers received some compensation for a star player.

Paul had a one-year, $24.2 million player option left on his contract. By opting in and getting traded, he is eligible to get a five-year $205 million contract with the Rockets. As a free agent, the biggest contract he could receive was a four-year $153 million contract.

READ: Could Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan Be Gone From Clippers After Chris Paul Traded To Rockets?

In return for Paul, the Clippers receive a top-three protected 2018 first-round pick and players Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell and players without guaranteed contracts.

Paul is a nine-time All-Star and is regarded as one of the best playmakers in the league. He joins a backcourt that includes James Harden, who was in the conversation for the MVP this year. Paul also joins a team that has a strong shot at competing for a berth in the Finals. The Clippers failed to advance out of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, while the Rockets fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.

The news is quite the shake up to the NBA and prompted lot of reactions on social media. Sports columnist Bill Simmons tipped his hat to Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA insider who has made a name for himself for breaking NBA stories. Simmons also touched on how the Paul-Harden backcourt may not be as great as it seems.

ESPN writer Mina Kimes thinks the players' abilities might be too similar.

Wojnarowski also reported that Harden and Paul were determined to play together.

LeBron James chimed in with some words of encouragement for his friend.

Paul posted a message of thanks to the City of Los Angeles and Clipper fans. “Unbelievable amount of emotions right now, I don’t even know what to say. Lots of love and tears. I’m so blessed and thankful for the ability to play this game, this is the part that no one can prepare you for,” Paul wrote. To the Los Angeles community and to CLIPPER NATION I say THANK YOU!!!”

READ: NBA Rumors: Would LeBron James Want To Play For The Lakers Or Clippers?

Austin Rivers, Paul’s teammate and the son of head coach and team president Doc Rivers, was taken by surprise.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt provided Paul with a welcome greeting.

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