Chris Paul Says He Never Asked for a Trade

Chris Paul denied rumors that he asked for a way out of Houston. While the tension between Paul and James Harden has been all but confirmed, Paul told reporters at his Go Hoop Day event that he was never eyeing the door.

“I never asked for a trade,” Paul said on Sunday. “I never demanded a trade.”

He added that he was happy with the idea of staying Houston for the foreseeable future. He said his main problem with being a part of the Rockets organization was sitting out the Finals this year while Toronto took on the Warriors.

“I’ll be in Houston. I’m happy about that. I’m very happy about that. I’m good,” he said, before turning toward his issue with the team.“There’s only one team that wins at the end of the year, you know what I mean?…Since I went to Houston, from Day 1, it’s been about winning games. It’s always about winning games.”

Paul’s relationship with Harden and by extension the Rockets was questioned earlier this week when anonymous insiders said there was “no respect at all” between the players. 

Soon after the rumor that Paul wanted a trade got out, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey denounced the idea that Paul was trying to leave.