Just when you thought the NBA Free Agency was over, another major trade happens. NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and a handful of draft picks.
Rumors of a Westbrook trade immediately surfaced after his former teammate, Paul George, was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. It seems the Thunder are now in rebuilding mode. The bigger story is Westbrook reuniting with James Harden. The backcourt of the Rockets will make for an interesting watch. But, will it work for a team who wants to win a championship?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, pick swaps in 2021 and 2025, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2019
Houston Rockets Refuel: The Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul Trade
The End of Chris Paul
Although Paul was a key player for the Rockets, he could not uplift them into the NBA Finals. He has faced a rash of injuries over the last few seasons and is aging. Also, there were rumors about him and Harden not getting along after they were eliminated again in the playoffs. It seems the Rockets hit their ceiling with the duo and were looking to make a change.
In comparison to Paul, Westbrook is much younger and healthier. He has averaged a triple-double over the past three seasons, which has not been done in the history of the NBA. Last season, he recorded the first-ever 20-20-20 game in the NBA. He is enjoying the prime of his career and is seeking a ring. Although the Thunder was his team for 11 seasons, it was clear that he and the team were going in separate directions.
Russell Westbrook and James Harden Reunion
The Rockets have reunited Westbrook and Harden. They were teammates for three seasons with the Thunder. Obviously, times have changed for both players. Harden went from being the sixth-man to one of the great scorers in the game and Westbrook became a dominant force after Harden’s and Kevin Durant‘s departure. However, both players have not returned to the NBA Finals since their run in 2012. Also, they are two of the most criticized players in the NBA. Harden has been labeled a playoff-choker and Westbrook has been labeled a stat-padder and bad teammate. Although they are two of the top ten players in the league, this trade has left a lot of questions for the Rockets
Houston Rockets, We Have a Problem
The Rockets have an all-star backcourt now, but the biggest question is fit. Can Harden and Westbrook get along with playing together? Both players are very ball-dominant and are the first scoring options. Both are isolation-type of players who control the pace of the offense. Defensively, both players are questionable at best. When motivated, they are good on defense.
What will Westbrook’s mentality be? Over the last three seasons, he was the number one option and the leader of the Thunder. Now, he finds himself on another team where he is not number one. This is Harden’s team. If the Rockets should make it out of the West, Westbrook must be fine with being the second option. Also, he is a volume shooter. He must become more efficient and take smarter shots with the Rockets. He has shot under 45 percent over the last three seasons.
Coaching is another question. Mike D’Antoni is a great offensive mind. But, he has yet to prove he is the total package. He had great teams but could never coach them into a championship. D’Antoni must decide who will be the point guard between Harden and Westbrook. He must learn to mend the egos between the two. He failed to do so with Harden and Paul. D’Antoni is on the hot seat this upcoming season.
The Houston Rockets Forecast
This trade does not put the Rockets over the top. Although Westbrook is better than Paul at this stage of their careers, he is a worse fit. Westbrook thrives as the primary guy with able wings and big men. He and Harden in the same backcourt could be a chemistry issue. The questionable fit and Westbrook’s do-it-all mentality could spell doom. The Rockets’ positioning in the West is still the same. They should finish in the top five at season’s end. The positive of this trade is the familiarity between the two all-stars. Harden and Westbrook seem to get along. Westbrook recognizes Harden as the leader of the Rockets. But he has to change his philosophy. The Rockets are still NBA Finals contenders, but their fate is in the hands of Westbrook.