For his 16th season in the NBA, veteran point guard Chris Paul (who is now also a former member of the Thunder) took to Instagram to pay tribute to the fans of Oklahoma City. On Monday, Paul was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for a package headlined by veteran point guard Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre, Jr.
For him, though, the 2019-20 season was a blast from the past.
During the 2007-08 season, Paul was a member of a New Orleans Hornets team that was displaced due to destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. That year, the Hornets made their home in Oklahoma City, which was so successful, that it gave the NBA the confidence to believe that a team could thrive in the city. They obviously have.
About 12 years later, Paul landed in Oklahoma City, and the cyclical nature of his career wasn’t lost upon him. He capably led the franchise and helped it overachieve, so it stands to reason that his departure gave him at least a little bit of “the feels.”
Paul will now take his talents to Phoenix where he will be closer to his family in Los Angeles and pair up with Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. The day after the trade was announced, though, Paul let it be known that his mind was on this past season, taking to Instagram to post a tribute to the Thunder’s fans.
“OKC!!! What a full circle moment this last season was!! Genuinely grateful for your hospitality and the warm welcome from day 1. Much love to everyone in the organization, the fans, and most importantly the fellas who brought out that dog, day in and day out!! Year 15 will never be forgotten,” Paul posted.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHted-nFum6/
The trade that landed Paul in Phoenix came just one day after the Thunder’s agreement to send Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers was announced. The latter move, however, isn’t expected to be officially completed until after the 2020 NBA Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday night.
One can only wonder whether Steven Adams will be next.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will welcome Ricky Rubio and Kelly Oubre, Jr. to the franchise, and looking back, Paul will carry some fond memories with him to what could end up being the final stop of his Hall-of-Fame career.