Liberty Links: Chris Paul’s trade to Houston Rockets, Phil Jackson’s firing from New York Knicks shakes up NBA

What a 24 hours it’s been in the National Basketball Association. After a disappointing postseason, this unbelievably whacky offseason is exactly what the league needed to generate some additional interest.

Here’s a recap of all the craziness from Wednesday:

Knicks, Phil Jackson mutually agree to part ways after 3 years - Ramona Shelbourne, ESPN.com

This move seemed inevitable, although nobody imagined it would come so soon, nor that it would leak out around midnight Wednesday morning. The past 12 months were tumultuous for Jackson in New York. Derrick Rose skipped a game and nobody in the organization seemed to know why. Jackson began a very public spat with Carmelo Anthony in an effort to push him out of New York, which also led to a frayed relationship with the team’s young star, Kristaps Porzingis. Between their reported attempts to trade Porzingis and word that Jackson fell asleep while attending a pre-draft workout, the writing was on the wall. Jackson really just didn’t care anymore, and James Dolan did what he had to do.

Phil Jackson's biggest failure was letting the game pass him by - Ian O’Connor, ESPN.com

Jackson's detached arrogance never served him well, nor did his insistence on sacrificing simple win-loss mathematics at the altar of his cherished triangle algorithms. There's nothing wrong with the triangle offense, mind you; Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant did just fine with it. But there's something terribly wrong with forcing a system on guards and big men incapable of executing it, and with forcing a system on coaches who didn't love it any more than their players did.

Rockets acquire Chris Paul in blockbuster trade with Clippers - ESPN.com

This deal managed to steal all the spotlight away from the divorce in New York, and rightfully so. Paul decided to opt-in to the final year of his deal with the Clippers in order to facilitate a sign-and-trade that would send him to the Houston Rockets. The Clippers received Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick, as well as multiple non-guaranteed contracts to help make the money match. Paul will now share a backcourt with James Harden, and still be in line for a five-year, $205 million contract because Houston owns his full Bird rights.

Here’s Lou Williams’ reaction to being traded

Rockets are looking to add Paul George or Carmelo Anthony for new superteam - Matt Ellentuck, SB Nation.com

By all indications, the Rockets are doing their best to give the Golden State Warriors a run for their money. Houston reportedly thinks they can get George or Anthony, although the latter seems much more likely.

NBA Trade Rumors: Sixers get involved in Chris Paul trade extravaganza, send Shawn Long to Rockets - Kyle Neubeck, Liberty Ballers

In the Rockets search for non-guaranteed contracts in order to add more salary to move in trades, they acquired Shawn Long from the Sixers in exchange for cash and a 2018 second-round pick. Long wasn’t part of the Paul deal, so it’s undetermined as of yet what Houston plans to do with him.

Bogdan Bogdanvoic is joining the Sacramento Kings

Bogdanvoic (not to be confused with the Washington Wizards’ Bojan Bogdanovic) was the 27th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Kings. This past year he helped Turkish club Fenerbache win a EuroLeague title, a Turkish League title, and was named Turkish League Finals MVP and All-EuroLeague First Team for his efforts. Slowly but surely, the Kings are assembling a nice young core.

Dion Waiters gives you a tour of Philadelphia

Waiters took SLAM Magazine on a tour through his Philadelphia neighborhood, the place that gave him his “Philly cheese swag”.