On Sunday, reports of a blockbuster trade centered around Bradley Beal and Chris Paul sent shockwaves throughout the NBA world. As common as trades are in the NBA, it's easy to forget that the players involved are often just as shocked as everyone else.
Less than a day after his name was first mentioned in trade reports, Paul was set to make an appearance on "Good Morning America" to talk about the release of his forthcoming book but it was impossible to not begin by addressing the elephant in the room.
MORE: Full details of Chris Paul-Bradley Beal trade between Suns, Wizards
"I was surprised too," Paul said to GMA's Michael Strahan, who shared his surprise upon learning of the blockbuster trade.
"I found out on the plane yesterday flying here for this," Paul continued. "In this league, anything can happen, so you just figure out what's next."
“I was surprised too … in this league anything can happen.”
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 19, 2023
Chris Paul says he found out on a flight to NYC on Sunday about reports of being traded to the Washington Wizards by the Phoenix Suns.@CP3#NBA pic.twitter.com/MbDpnf129h
After his appearance on Good Morning America, Paul spoke at greater length with the New York Times' Sopan Deb. In the interview, Paul reveals that he found out about the trade from his 14-year-old son.
"But when [the news] comes through and my son texts me, I realize tha, you know, Mat and Isiah, I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction," Paul said of Suns owner Mat Ishbia and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who does not have a formal role with the franchise.
Paul added that on Saturday he spoke with Suns president and GM James Jones, who gave no indication that a move of this magnitude was on the table.
MORE: Chris Paul's trade history after being included in Bradley Beal swap
The trade is a reminder that anything can happen in the NBA.
Days before the reported deal, initial reporting indicated that the Suns were considering the option of cutting Paul in order to receive financial flexibility to build around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Deandre Ayton.
Things changed when it was revealed that Beal was seeking out of Washington, paving the way for the trade that, as initially proposed, will send Paul from Phoenix to the nation's capital.
Figuring out what's next, however, is another story.
MORE: How Bradley Beal deal impacts Heat's pursuit of Damian Lillard
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Paul's guaranteed salary for the upcoming season will increase from $15.8 million to $25 million in order to help facilitate the trade.
From there, the Wizards could get another team involved or come to an agreement with Paul that would make him a free agent this offseason. In the wake of the trade, Paul has already been linked to the Clippers, while the Lakers are also looked at as a potential destination.
Paul, 38, averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds over 59 games with the Suns last season. A hamstring injury held him out of the Suns final three games of the NBA Playoffs.
