Russel Westbrook was the talk of the town in NBA a few days ago and every team was ready to sign him. The Oklahoma City Thunder finally agreed to trade him with the Houston Rockets in the exchange of Chris Paul and several future draft picks. The trade deal has been made official and the paperwork has been done on Tuesday, July 16.
Reunited 😂@russwest44 @JHarden13 pic.twitter.com/QzTeUmDH9s
— Jaycob Ammerman (@Jammer2233) July 12, 2019
The team of Thunder has now right for the first-round draft picks for the year 2024 and 2026 along with swaps in 2021 and 2025. The reports about the deal first surfaced online during last Thursday and the rumors about pairing up James Harden and Westbrook were getting strong. Here is what the Oklahoma team management has to say on the deal and a few trouble that came along the way.
Just two kids from Compton. 🏁 (Tag @russwest44 & @jharden13) pic.twitter.com/xJqeLth04u
— 先見の明 (@visionarydot) July 13, 2019
Thunder says Goodbye to Russel Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder team had no intention to trade out Russel Westbrook, but there was no other way. With Paul George out of the team, there was no use of a solo Russel Westbrook. The team needed a new roster and the Thunder did what was essential. At the same time, the Oklahoma team management is happy for the future of Westbrook and wished him a thank you on Twitter.
A legacy like none other. We grew alongside you and wish you the best. Thanks Russ! pic.twitter.com/xqNW127G0O
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 17, 2019
Sam Presti, VP of Oklahoma City Thunder said,
Russel Westbrook is the best and most incredible player in the short history of Oklahoma City Thunder team. He had left an amazing impact on the team, city, state, and the players.
No one had any idea how much of a great player he will become and we are proud of his success. He has contributed a lot to our community and franchise and we wish him the best for his new future.
The Trade Deal Complications
The Houston Rockets are happy to have Russel Westbrook and can not wait for him and James Harden to play together. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder are having a lot of trouble with Chris Paul. They had no intention of adding Paul to their team, he was an asset which they would trade away.
Russ says goodbye to OKC 💙🧡
(via @russwest44) pic.twitter.com/jgpl9mxtpK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 12, 2019
But the Thunder team is having a tough time to find someone who will pay $120 million of Paul’s three-year contract. Chris Paul is already 34 years old and the Rockets traded him out after his fight with James Harden. At the same time, the deal also made some loss to the Rockets team. Tilam Fertitta, the owner of Houston Rockets was fined $25,000 by the NBA for leaking out the details about Westbrook deal before it was made official.
