Rockets acquire Chris Paul from Clippers in 8-player deal

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, shoots as Houston Rockets guard James Harden, right, defends and center DeAndre Jordan watches during the first half in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Los Angeles. Photo: Associated Press/(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

KRISTIE RIEKEN, AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Paul is heading to Houston to join James Harden, and the Rockets will soon have two All-Stars in the backcourt to lead their chase for a championship.

FILE – In this May 9, 2017, file photo, Houston Rockets’ Lou Williams (12)
attempts a shot during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball
second-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, in San Antonio.
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

The Rockets acquired Paul from the Clippers in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer, a protected first-round pick next year and cash considerations.

Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley, left, congratulates forward
Sam Dekker after Dekker scored 30 points in an NBA basketball game
against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Memphis,
Tenn. The Rockets won by a score of 119-95. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

The 32-year-old Paul opted in for the last year of his contract so the Clippers could work on a deal.

The Rockets acquired Hilliard from Detroit and Liggins from Dallas for cash considerations on Wednesday before adding them to the deal for Paul.

The nine-time All-Star has averaged 18.7 points, 9.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals over his 12-year career, though he has been dogged with criticism in recent years for failing to help the Clippers get out of the second round of the playoffs.

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