JJ Watt Says Chris Paul Was the First to Donate to His Hurricane Harvey Fundraiser

The on-court relationship between Chris Paul and James Harden deteriorated to a point where a trade had to be made, but Paul’s bond with the city of Houston will always remain strong.

Right after the news broke that Paul was heading to the Oklahoma City Thunder, JJ Watt immediately gave Paul well-deserved credit for being the first celebrity to donate to his hurricane fundraiser.

Gonna miss you @CP3. Not many people know, but CP was literally the first celebrity to reach out and donate to the hurricane fundraiser. He had just recently been traded to Houston, called up and said he wanted to help. Very first one. Absolute legend.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 12, 2019

This was not the only charitable work Paul did to help those recovering from the devastating hurricane. He used an eBay auction to raise money for victims and his foundation to help build a library at a local middle school.

His career started in a city recovering from a natural disaster. Months after Paul was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. Paul was one of many Hornets who went into the remains of the disaster to help out communities. Just like Houston, he wanted to help and support in anyway he could.

The tension between James Harden and Chris Paul, which Rockets considered manageable and not unusual for NBA alpha dogs, didn’t factor into decision to make the trade for Russell Westbrook. Source: “That would not have driven us to do something we otherwise wouldn’t have done.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 12, 2019

The 34-year-old is starting to ride towards the end of his career and it is all starting to come full circle for him. During Paul’s first two seasons with the Hornets, their home games had to be played in Oklahoma City. This was a big reason why basketball was brought to OKC in 2008 and now CP3 has the opportunity to bring fans the excitement he brought them almost 15 years ago.

That is, if he isn't traded to Miami before the season even gets going.

While the Rockets felt that Paul was surplus to requirements, Houston will not forget his charitable actions, and Watt reminded the city of CP3's actions in a time of need.