Dwyane Wade’s $2.25 Billion Asset Becomes Laughing Stock for Chris Paul; Gets Sternly Warned

Published 02/28/2024, 11:20 AM EST

“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore! Second act activated.” For 16 years, Dwyane Wade gave his everything on the floor. More than 1,000 games later, after calling it quits in 2019, the legend wrote this as he attended his first game as a part owner of the Utah Jazz. That was on April 17, 2021, when the team was worth $1.75 billion. By April 16, 2023, the franchise’s value had risen to $2.25 billion. But Dwayne Wade’s influence or not, the Jazz was a team that wasn’t on Chris Paul’s radar. Not one bit.

Chris Paul is one of the best point guards to have played in the NBA. Despite his comparatively short stature, Paul’s game IQ, efficiency, and consistency have made him an incredible playmaker who alleviates the players around him. The 12x NBA All-Star was drafted in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets (now known as the Pelicans) as the 4th overall pick. Looking back on it now, CP3 admits that his heart was elsewhere.

In a conversation with DWade on The Why With Dwyane Wade podcast, CP3 recalled the 2005 NBA Draft. In the days leading up to it, he explained, “I worked out for the Hawks. I killed that workout and know I’m going to the Hawks.” That eventful day was followed by another one. And then came Draft night. “I’m sitting and thinking [the Hawks] need a guard,” he said. Revealing that the basketballs he used to train with were the Hawks’, CP3 was beyond confident. However, things didn’t go the way he thought they would.

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“Utah ended up trading up, getting the No.3 pick. They said, ‘No.2 pick, the Atlanta Hawks. I started getting up. I just knew I was going to the Hawks. They say, ‘Marvin Williams.’ I say, ‘Oh, man.’” And then came Utah’s pick. CP3 hilariously recalled, “They said, ‘Number 3 pick, Utah Jazz.’ No offense to y’all, I had my fingers crossed, ‘Don’t say my name. Please don’t say my name.’” Hearing this, Wade laughed and light-heartedly warned Paul: “Don’t do that to us. Don’t do that on my podcast. Just move on and do the story.”

The reason for CP3 not wanting to play for Atlanta had nothing to do with the team itself. He disclosed, “That was too far West for me, man. I’m East Coast.” Fortunately for him, he dodged that bullet because the Utah Jazz selected Deron Williams as the third overall pick. Coming back to CP. Remember the fateful Hawks workout day? That night, New Orleans called Paul’s agent, who told the guard, “You gotta go to New Orleans to work out with them tomorrow.” While Paul didn’t want to go, he revealed, “They said, ‘You have to come work out for us, or we’re going to pick you anyway.’”

Ultimately, that’s what happened. The then-New Orleans Hornets chose Chris Paul as the fourth overall pick. And what followed was a “life-changing experience,” one that Paul made the most of.

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Chris Paul’s incredible rookie year

The basketball community rarely talks about how Chris Paul dominated the NBA in his rookie year. He finished the season with averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals. By the end of the season, he was leading all rookies in points, assists, steals, and double-doubles. CP also became the second rookie in the league’s history to lead the NBA in total steals that season.

That year, he secured the Rookie of the Year award, falling short of just one vote to be unanimously voted to the title. Now, 19 seasons in, CP3 has crafted his reputation as one of the greatest PGs in the league with an impenetrable defense and immaculate shooting skills.

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Do you think Chris Paul’s rookie year would have taken a different trajectory if he was traded to the Jazz or the Hawks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by:

Tsuktibenla is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, whose love affair with basketball began at the age of 16, sparking a passion that has kept her actively playing ever since. Representing her school and college in various tournaments, she earned the title of MVP in several instances despite contending with multiple injuries. A graduate in English Literature, she pursued a Master's in Journalism to solidify her place in sports journalism.

Edited by:

Caroline Joseph

Dwyane Wade’s $2.25 Billion Asset Becomes Laughing Stock for Chris Paul; Gets Sternly Warned

Chris Paul’s incredible rookie year

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