NBA
Transaction Reaction: Russell Westbrook Traded to Houston
OKC continued their rebuilding process by trading the greatest player in Thunder Franchise history
Sports Illustrated
Just when this NBA offseason couldn’t get any crazier, Russell Westbrook is now a member of the Houston Rockets. One day after moving Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Thunder traded the “most important player in franchise history” for Chris Paul and a package of draft picks. An outright rebuild is kicking off in Oklahoma City, while Houston is locked in win-now mode. Here’s the outlook for both franchises’ plan moving forward.
Oklahoma City Thunder: PG Chris Paul, 2021 1st Rd Swap (Unprotected), 2024 1st Rd Pick (Unprotected), 2025 1st Rd Swap (Unprotected) 2026 1st Rd Pick (Unprotected)
Houston Rockets: PG Russell Westbrook
Once Sam Presti gave in to Paul George’s trade request [Transaction Reaction], the writing was on the wall for Russell Westbrook. He and management had drastically different visions for the future, and they wistfully parted ways while his stock was still relatively high. Although an All-NBA second team player last season, Westbrook’s real contribution to winning has always seemed to be in question. He’s averaged a triple-double since Kevin Durant left in 2016, but has never made it out of the first round and is owed $171 million over the next four years. Turning 31 in November and already three knee surgeries deep, Westbrook’s trademark jaw-dropping athleticism will eventually fade. Going from the playoffs to the lottery is a tough sell to fans, but the Thunder moved an asset set to depreciate soon.
The only player the Thunder received in the trade, Chris Paul’s contract versus Westbrook’s is a slight improvement in terms of salary cap. Although under contract for one less year and owed $1.3 million less annually than Russ, Paul’s trade value is still among the lowest in the league. The real attraction of this trade for the Thunder is the two first-round draft picks (2024 and 2026) and pick swaps (2021 and 2025). If the Westbrook-Harden experiment fails over time, or naturally expires due to age, all those picks will be of great value.
Future Outlook: Thunder gain a collection of future draft picks for the best player in franchise history
Facing locker room turmoil and recurrent postseason shortcomings, it seemed inevitable that the Rockets would switch something up. Stylistically Chris Paul and James Harden clashed to the point the relationship was deemed ‘unsalvageable,’ and Paul’s age was starting to show. The Thunder were shopping Westbrook, and with some pushing from his former teammate James Harden, Daryl Morey pounced on the opportunity. Although both Paul’s and Westbrook’s contracts are reprehensible, Westbrook is three years younger, made All-NBA second team last season, and still has prime years left. On paper, this is a major talent upgrade for the Rockets. From a 2018-19 production standpoint, the Rockets switch out a ‘B’ caliber player for an ‘A’ caliber player.
As Daryl Morey’s track record shows (Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul), he’s willing to sacrifice first-rounders for transcendental talent. Harden and Westbrook have chemistry from back in their OKC days and their combined talent rivals any duo in the NBA. Arguably the most talented roster Harden has ever played on, the Rockets are putting the pressure on him to deliver a championship. Daryl Morey is swinging for the fences here, and might be in the market for a new job if this operation fails.
Future Outlook: Westbrook and Harden will be competing for their 1st championships together now
34-years old with a checkered injury history, Chris Paul’s value has plummeted since the start of a four-year $160 million contract signed in 2018. Sam Presti and management tried to flip him upon arrival, but the timing and complexity of any potential deal rendered it unlikely. Barring further development, Paul will start the season with the Thunder, who have no intentions of tanking the season away.
Paul will be back in his element, given complete control of the offense, and he and Adams could form a fierce combination. Paul’s still adept in isolation, pick and roll and spot up situations and can contribute as a primary or secondary weapon. Acquiring Danillo Gallinari was an underrated pickup and he’ll produce his own offense when Paul hits the bench. The hope for the Thunder is that Paul serves as a mentor for prospects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazely, while simultaneously cultivating a competitive atmosphere. With over 33,000 minutes on the odometer for Paul, however, his career trajectory doesn’t match the Thunder’s rebuild timeline. While most pegged CP3 an instant trade candidate after news of this trade broke, now NBA reports say he’ll start the season in OKC. However, don’t expect him to finish his contract in a Thunder uniform.
Future Outlook: Temporary floor general for rebuilding roster
After seven years apart, long-lost teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden are together again. An immediate upgrade on paper, the Rockets now have two of the past three MVP’s on its roster. There’s no denying that both players are generational talents, but the jury is out if these guys fit together. Statistically, they’re two of the highest usage players ever and Westbrook is a weaker shooter and off-ball player. Despite what head coach Mike D’Antoni says, he’ll have to make some offensive adjustments to incorporate Westbrook.
While both D’Antoni and Westbrook favor isolation-heavy offense, Westbrook has taken a step backward in that regard since his MVP year. Ranking in the 30th percentile last season and 41st the year prior in isolation scoring, he’s struggled the past two years differing to a secondary star. For the Rockets to succeed, Westbrook will have to regain his form, and fast. Swapping Adams for Capela gives him a younger, more athletic big to catch lobs and Harden, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, and Daniel House’s shooting provides superior spacing compared to OKC’s trio of wings (PG, Ferguson, Abdel Nader, & Hamidou Diallo). What all this comes down to is if Westbrook can somehow become just an average spot-up three-point shooter. In 2016-2017 he shot 34% from deep on 7.2 attempts, but the past two years he’s made them at a measly 29% clip. In D’Antoni’s system, he has to be able to make threes at a more consistent rate.
This experiment will likely determine Daryl Morey’s job security, but he’s got plenty of reason to be confident. Westbrook brings a lot to the table and his ability to attack closeouts and put pressure on a defense will be enhanced by Harden’s playmaking. If Westbrook starts canning threes, Houston is a legit title contender.
Future Outlook: Second-best player on title contender
Paul’s and Westbrook’s contracts don’t provide much financial flexibility for either franchise. CP3’s deal ends a year earlier than Westbrook’s and is worth around $1M less annually, accelerating Oklahoma City’s rebuild by one year. Houston has to bite the bullet on Westbrook’s contract and hope his contributions will be worth it in their pursuit for that coveted NBA Championship.
James Harden: The addition of Russell Westbrook ensures Harden won’t have to put on a season-long scoring spectacle like last year. While entertaining to watch, shouldering that kind of load drained Harden to some degree. Westbrook has played 73 games each of the last four seasons and will keep the offense afloat when Harden needs a break. After the way the Chris Paul-Harden relationship fractured at the end of last season, having a friend and former teammate in the locker room could rejuvenate ‘The Beard’.
Daryl Morey: Daryl Morey is putting all his eggs in the Westbrook-Harden basket in a hail-mary trade to kickstart the Rockets. A proponent of getting the stars by any means necessary, the end result of this pairing will either greatly support or discredit Morey’s team building philosophy. Considering the assets he gave up, he’s facing a championship or bust situation. With new ownership in place and a lame duck coach, more change could be coming in Houston if this experiment doesn’t work out in year 1.
Oklahoma City Fans: Did anyone come out of the 2010’s worse than Thunder fans? They drafted three future MVP’s and in 2012, they became the second-youngest team to ever reach an NBA Finals. It seemed like they would be the team of the decade, but ill-advised trades, injuries, and free agency derailed their future. Now every player from that Finals team is gone, and Thunder fans will be praying for ping-pong balls the next couple years to get back to that stage.
– OKC looks back
https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1149804677673996288
– Capela thanks CP3
A great mentor and fierce competitor that helped me grow both as a player and a person. A true inspiration, especially with his relentless drive to win @CP3
— Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) July 12, 2019
– D-Wade wants a re-do 
All i know is my jersey swap collection is looking kinda bootleg since FA started 😂😂😂. In 20 years ain’t no one believing those players played in those uniforms❤️
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 12, 2019
– Russ says goodbye
– Bigger than basketball
In the days ahead, there will be much, much, much, much more to say about what Russell Westbrook has meant to OKC. I can’t even begin to process it all now. 💙💙💙
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 12, 2019
But for tonight... Holy cow, you can’t make this stuff up. We traded our greatest love for our first love. https://t.co/I1gE9DHFBT
For a franchise turned completely on its head in the span of a couple of days, OKC steered into the skid perfectly. They came away with an exceptional haul for Russell Westbrook, receiving potentially four 1st Rd picks and a slightly improved cap situation with CP3 on board. Paul has experience in Oklahoma City from early in his career and will lead a roster in need of guidance. If Westbrook succeeds with Houston long-term, however, the picks might not be of much value.
Grade: B+
At the end of the day, Westbrook is still widely considered a top-15 player in the NBA and undoubtedly a talent upgrade over Chris Paul. His addition raises the Rockets ceiling in a wide-open Western Conference, but there’s obvious concerns about his and Harden’s similar playing styles. D’Antoni figured out how to squeeze the most out of Harden and Paul their first year together; the hope is he can do the same this time around.
Grade: B
Two franchises heading in opposite directions, Oklahoma City and Houston each took steps towards making their vision a reality. The Thunder get unprotected first-round picks and the Rockets got a cortisone shot to their roster by adding Russell Westbrook. Betting on the primes of Harden and Westbrook, Houston has around a 3-4 year window to win this trade.
Bottom Line: Rockets are championship or bust now, and OKC is looking at a title window starting in 2025
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