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SPORTS Friday 12 July 2019

AP source: Russell Westbrook going to Rockets for Chris Paul

By TIM REYNOLDS award, Anthony Davis get
AP Basketball Writer traded from New Orleans to
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Rus- the Los Angeles Lakers, All-
sell Westbrook and James Star point guards like Kyrie
Harden are together again, Irving (Boston to Brooklyn),
and Chris Paul is leaving Kemba Walker (Charlotte
Houston to make that re- to Boston) and D’Angelo
union happen. Russell (Brooklyn to Golden
A person with knowledge State) change teams, Du-
of the situation says the rant leave the Warriors for
Oklahoma City Thunder Brooklyn, Jimmy Butler go
have traded Westbrook from Philadelphia to Miami
to the Houston Rockets for in a sign-and-trade, Al Hor-
Paul in a swapping of top ford move from Philadel-
point guards. The Thun- phia from Boston.
der also are getting first- “Craziest NBA summer by
round picks in 2024 and far,” longtime NBA guard
2026, plus the right to swap Jamal Crawford tweeted.
first-rounders in two other Paul and Harden were
seasons, according to the teammates for two seasons
person who spoke to The in Houston. The Rockets
Associated Press on condi- In this Monday, May 5, 2014 file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives had a 3-2 lead over Gold-
tion of anonymity Thursday against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the first quarter of Game 1 of the Western en State in the 2018 West-
because the trade has not Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series in Oklahoma City. ern Conference finals when
been announced. ESPN first Associated Press Paul injured a hamstring,
reported the agreement. highest scorers over the last been an All-Star ever since. stockpile in the last week and the Warriors rallied
Paul is a nine-time All-Star, five seasons — Harden with But when the Thunder or so. Oklahoma City got to win that series in seven
Westbrook an eight-time 11,958 points, Westbrook agreed last week to trade five first-round future selec- games on the way to the
selection. Paul has 9,181 with 10,025 — are now Paul George to the Los An- tions as part of the George NBA title. This past season,
career assists, the most teammates. Westbrook geles Clippers — in a move trade. The Thunder are get- Houston was ousted in the
among active players. and Harden were Thunder that essentially sealed 2019 ting two more in this trade, second round by the War-
Westbrook has 138 triple- teammates for three sea- NBA Finals MVP Kawhi and got a 2020 first-round riors.
doubles, tied with Magic sons, the last of those be- Leonard’s decision to leave pick in the deal completed The 34-year-old Paul is
Johnson for second-most ing the 2011-12 campaign Toronto for the Clippers — it earlier this week that sent owed roughly $125 million
in NBA history behind only when that duo and Kevin became clear quickly that Jerami Grant to Denver. over the final three years
Oscar Robertson’s 181. Durant took Oklahoma Westbrook would be on It’s the latest bold transac- of his contract, including
Both members of Houston’s City to the NBA Finals. They the move as well. And this tion in a wild offseason of a $44.2 million option for
new glitzy backcourt are lost in five games to LeBron trade, when completed, movement that already 2021-22. Westbrook, who
recent MVPs: Westbrook James, Dwyane Wade and will mean that Thunder saw Leonard become the turns 31 early next season, is
won it in 2017, Harden won the Miami Heat, and Hard- general manager Sam first reigning Finals MVP owed $171 million over the
it in 2018. And the trade en departed that summer Presti has added eight first- change teams in the off- final four years of his exist-
means that the NBA’s two for Houston — where he’s round picks to the team’s season after winning that ing deal.q

Steve Stricker lead suspended Senior Players

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Steve at 7 a.m. Friday. “Bummed weeks so I could play them
Stricker topped the Bridge- that we didn’t get to finish both, but I decided to
stone Senior Players Cham- because that meant we come here,” Stricker said.
pionship leaderboard at 5 could have slept in a little “I’m happy I’m here and
under with a hole to play bit tomorrow, and then I’m not second-guessing
Thursday when the first now we’ll have to get out my decision at all.”
round was suspended for here just to hit that shot,” Paul Goydos was second
the day because of light- Stricker said. “Hopefully, at 2 under after five holes.
ning and rain. just one putt. And then we Ken Duke shot a 1-under
Coming off a victory two won’t tee off until 1 p.m. 69. John Daly (8 holes), Jay
weeks ago in the U.S. Se- Maybe go back and I don’t Haas (15 holes), Duffy Wal-
nior Open at Norte Dame, know what we’ll do — kill dorf (12 holes), Wes Short
Stricker had a hole-in-one time, eat breakfast a few (10 holes), Miguel Angel
on the 184-yard, par-3 sev- times or something. Yeah, Jiménez (8 holes), Lee Jan-
enth at Firestone Country it would have been nice to zen (5 holes), Corey Pavin
Club. finish.” (5 holes) and Bart Bryant (3
Play was suspended at Stricker is seeking his third holes) also were 1 under.
12:55 p.m., and called for straight major victory on Bernhard Langer was even
the day at 5:05 p.m. after the PGA Tour Champions, a par after six holes. He won
just over an inch of rain run that began with the Re- the tournament three
soaked the course. Stricker gions Tradition. He’s playing straight times from 2014
was in the middle of the the 50-and-over event in- through 2016. Defending
18th fairway, facing a 140- stead of going for a fourth champion Vijay Singh was
yard shot on the par-4 hole, Steve Stricker chips on to the 16th green during the first round of victory at the John Deere 1 over with two holes left.
when play was stopped. the Bridgestone Senior Players golf tournament, Thursday, July Classic on the PGA Tour. Stricker used a 7-iron on the
He was set to resume play 11, 2019 in Akron, Ohio. Associated Press “I wish they were different ace.q