The relationship between the two Rockets stars is “unsalvageable” and Paul has asked the team to move him, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. But, Rivers, who spent 47 games with the Rockets last season, said he didn’t see any issues.
“I know nothing about any of that. I don’t know where that’s coming from,” Rivers said during an interview with TMZ. “A lot of fantasy tales being told right now. … It’s definitely not true. I didn’t see any issues between any of them. It’s just made up news, fake news like most of the stuff you see on these Instagram pages.”
Paul and Houston general manager Daryl Morey both forcefully denied the Yahoo Sports report shortly after it was published.
“I’ve talked to Chris since (the end of the playoffs), for sure,” Morey told the Houston Chronicle. “Myself, (coach) Mike D’Antoni, James Harden are all super competitive, all frustrated we were eliminated from the playoffs, all want to get over the hump. That leads to a lot of competitive fire. All of it is normal. We’re all in the same boat, pursuing the championship. We’re all frustrated we’re not there. But there is nothing past that.
“I’m very frustrated right now. We’re literally trying to do real work on making the team better and every day I have to learn about a new media rock that has been turned over.”
Rivers, 26, began the season with the Wizards and ended up signing with the Rockets after he was waived by the Suns following a trade in December. He averaged 8.7 points and 2.3 assists in 28.6 minutes per game during his time with Houston.
The Rockets will reportedly pursue Jimmy Butler this summer and have also discussed dealing center Clint Capela to the Celtics. Rivers is set to be a free agent.
