:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55487763/625661850.0.jpg)
Former Badger Sam Dekker has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, along with Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, and a 2018 first-round pick. The Houston Rockets received Chris Paul in return.
The trade was first reported by The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Paul had previously informed the Clippers that he would be opting out of his contract so that he could test free agency. However, Paul he later opted in to his player option so that the trade could be completed.
Houston, thanks for welcoming me with open arms. I gave my all every time I was on the court. Time to get to work for LA! #Clips
— Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 28, 2017
Dekker, who was limited to only three games his rookie season, played in 77 games in 2016-17 while averaging 6.3 points per game over 17.8 minutes per contest. Dekker started two games for the Rockets during his sophomore campaign, including his first NBA start when he scored a career-high 30 points.
Dekker played in four of Houston’s playoff games in 2016-17, averaging 2.3 points per game.
Dekker joins a Clippers team in search of a new identity in 2017-18, as they will now be without Paul and possibly Blake Griffin, who also opted out of his contract.