Did you think that the NBA news would stop!? Well Russell Westbrook is going to Houston to team back up with James Harden in exchange for Chris Paul and 2 first round draft picks including 2 swap picks in 2021 and 2025. Wow…This NBA offseason continues to bring in breaking news every night. I thought that things would die down after this Kawhi Leonard/Paul George thing. But nope Russell Westbrook is back together with James Harden like the old days in Oklahoma City. I’m not sure if this will be the end of the crazy NBA offseason, but we could possibly still be seeing some moves.

We all thought that Russell Westbrook would be sent to Miami as they were reports saying that Westbrook wanted to play there. Rumors also had it during the time that Houston had interest in getting Russell Westbrook, but rumors had was it mostly unlikely as they were needing a third team in this trade and there was enough pieces to give up. Well it turns out they found out a great deal and they ended up having a point guard swap. Now the question “Was this trade worth the risk?”

How this trade affects the Houston Rockets

Making this trade was so risky at so many levels, this trade can be great for the Rockets or this trade could be terrible trade for the Rockets. James Harden and Russell Westbrook have both been teammates before back with the Thunder, so they have the player chemistry together. But as time has gone on, they both like having the ball in their hands, both have won NBA MVP’s, and like to put up big stats. If they are able to want to work together and win an NBA title then this can definitely work. If they still their same mindsets on wanting to have lots of points and stats, then no way on earth this will work. Russell Westbrook and James Harden will need a lot of time to get use to each other, but this team could be something special of everything works. They still have Clint Capella, PJ Tucker, and Eric Gordon which I’m not 100% sure if they will still have any of those guys by the beginning of the season, but if they are they will be a strong team. The Rockets got rid of Chris Paul’s huge contract who was getting old and was not being the same guy like he was in his prime. This is either going to be a success or a big risk.

How this trade affects the Oklahoma City Thunder

Well it is officially an end of an era with Russell Westbrook in OKC. But the Thunder’s rebuild so far is going really good. Since draft night the Thunder have received 8 future first round draft picks. I know people are sad with Paul George and Russell Westbrook being traded away, but you could possibly be talking about the Thunder getting some really good draft picks in the future to help build the team. I am not sure of the Thunder will still make some moves, we could possibly be seeing Steven Adams and other players that could be possibly moved, maybe Chris Paul could possibility want a buyout from the Thunder, we will have to wait and see. As a start of rebuild I say that the Thunder are off to a good start. But it is still going to take some time for Thunder fans to get use to the rebuild.

Who won the trade?

Easily the Houston Rockets, for one they got a better point guard aka former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, two they got rid of Chris Paul’s huge contract, and third if things work out, the Rockets are a top team in the Western Conference. I really think that James Harden and Russell Westbrook will put their stat padding numbers aside and will want to work together to compete for a title. The Thunder did get some good draft picks in this deal and a decent point guard in Chris Paul, but the Rockets got the best player in the deal and that is why they won the trade.

I do feel bad for Chris Paul though, I think the Rockets started all this drama with him because they didn’t want him anymore because he wasn’t putting up the numbers like he use to. I think Chris Paul wanted to stay in Houston, but with knowing his prime is gone, they had to make this move to get the better and younger point guard. This trade kind of reminds me of the Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving trade. When Thomas went down with his hip injury, the Celtics knew he wasn’t going to play the same like he use to, so they traded him away for a prime Kyrie Irving who wanted out of Cleveland. I know that in the long run Kyrie and his time with the Celtics was a lot of drama. But it was a trade that was worth because one there was no way the Celtics would’ve made the Finals with Isaiah Thomas, and two Isaiah Thomas has barely played in the NBA since his hip injury. I loved Isaiah in Boston, but this trade was had to be made to get a better point guard in Kyrie Irving. I will be curious if Chris Paul wants to stay in Oklahoma City or will want to be bought out. It will be something to keep an eye on.

It’s crazy to think that a year ago Paul George re-signed with the Oklahoma City to make a run with Russell Westbrook in the future years, or when Chris Paul announced on Instagram saying he was going to run it back with the Rockets. Now George and Westbrook are gone in OKC, and Chris Paul was sent away after one year after signing his contract.

Just to think Damien Lillard officially ended the Thunder era with this shot.

A lot has changed in one NBA offseason, is there more to come?

Go Celtics!

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