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June 28 (UPI) -- Point guard Chris Paul unexpectedly opted into his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, but was traded to the Houston Rockets, according to league sources. The nine-time All-Star was shipped to the Rockets on Wednesday in exchange for Patrick Beverly, Sam Dekker, Lou Williams and a 2018 first-round pick, according to multiple reports. The Vertical was the first to report the swap.
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According to The Vertical, Paul told the Clippers that he was going to sign with the Rockets as a free agent. Instead of getting nothing in the deal, the Clippers and Paul agreed on his $24.2 million option and he was promptly traded for a bounty of assets.
Paul had until Wednesday to decide on if he wanted to opt out on the final year of his contract with the Clippers and become an unrestricted free agent. By opting into the pact, Paul is eligible to make $52 million more than if he would have opted out and signed elsewhere.
Los Angeles Times reported last week that both Paul and Blake Griffin had informed the Clippers that they were declining their player options for next season.
League sources told ESPN that James Harden was "advocating hard in favor" of the Rockets pursuing Paul.
The eight-time All-NBA guard was also linked to the San Antonio Spurs this offseason.
ESPN reported that Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is attempting to acquire another All-Star to play with Paul and Harden.
Houston has also been linked to Indiana Pacers star Paul George.
Paul, 32, scored 18.1 points per game with 9.2 assists per game this season.
