1. The No. 1 pick Ayton will be completely activated. Think about the blue-collar insiders around Paul. Jordan and Capela have all achieved the maximization of their self-worth around Paul, and they have eaten the cake until they are ready to fly.

Another big deal in the offseason.

Thunder sent Paul and Abdul Nadir to the Suns, and received Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jaylen Lechu and the 2022 protected first-round draft pick (the specific draft pick is: first 12 picks protected in 2022, first 10 picks protected in 2023, first 8 picks protected in 2024, and no protection in 2025 (sequentially postponed))

this may bring the following improvements.

1, No. 1 Ayton will be completely activated. Think about the blue-collar insiders around Paul. Jordan and Capela have all achieved the maximization of their self-worth around Paul, and they have eaten the cake until they are ready to fly.

2, Devin Booker will be completely liberated. By Paul's side, Booker no longer has to worry about sorting out the offense and can concentrate on scoring points.

Think about Booker, who led the team to win eight consecutive games + averaged 30 points per game in the rematch this year. With the likes of Paul, there will be more and more highlights.

3, we have the opportunity to see the combination of Paul + Kobe + Howard, although it is only a low-end version.

Chris Paul - the older Paul, Devin Booker - the low-end version of Kobe, Ayton - the low-end version of Howard. This golden partner of the second child has already secured a playoff position in the minds of major basketball commentators.

But none of the above is the most important thing. What is important is that 35-year-old Chris Paul proved himself again.

In this world of NBA, any player who does well always has a unique personality, like Kobe, being as rebellious as a melon, and being loyal as Wade, but Paul is different from them.

Since the moment he stepped into the alliance, he has been the "other people's child" mentioned by his parents.

As a player, he did everything he could do.

In 2005, Paul was selected by the Hornets in the fourth pick. The top three in the draft were: Bogut, Marvin Williams and Deron.

At that time, it was difficult for people to believe how good a point guard of 1.83 meters could perform in the NBA with many people. To put it bluntly: "He is 183 tall and dares to wear the third place. He thinks he is Iverson?"

Of course, he can't score as freely as Iverson, but in his first season, he slapped everyone in the face of despising people, averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Anyone with discerning eyes knows that this kid is going to be popular.

As expected, in the next few years, Paul rose to the forthcoming.

People say that he is the master of traditional point guards. People say that he is the first point guard of this era, and even nicknamed him as "the God of Point Guard".

I think if the 2005 draft list is rearranged, Paul will take the lead and take the lead.

In addition to working, he also joined the Players' Union. With a little effort, he became the chairman.

Every year during the offseason, when most players are playing overseas and fighting in the training room, he fights for the interests of the players in the conference room.

Before 2018, except for the championship, Paul's career was almost perfect.

Until he signed the four-year contract of 160 million, doubts came like a tide.

People say that Paul wants money but not champions; people say that 35-year-old Paul is definitely not worthy of a contract of 40 million; people also say, look at it, if Thunder is going to be a mess, he will be in trouble for his whole life, that's what he has done.

But Paul never thought that his player career was "this is the only way".

So, he brought the Thunder into the playoffs amid all doubts, and was snatched by multiple teams at this age of 35.

In his opinion, every match and every game are a crucial battle.

He treats every game as the last game; he treats every team he is in as a seed to hit the championship.

Paul once said: Get up in the dark every day to train, which requires a high degree of self-discipline. Yes, every time the alarm clock rings, I can turn over and ignore it, but such things will never happen in my life.

He has been self-disciplined for 15 years and pursued his dreams for 15 years. The next two seasons will be his last chance.

The playoffs were never his target, he always stared at the championship.