© Mark D. Smith | 2018 Mar 6
Just when you thought it was over.
The craziest NBA offseason in history got even crazier on Thursday afternoon, when Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported a blockbuster trade that will send Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets, and Chris Paul and two first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal will also include two pick swaps for the Thunder in 2021 and 2025.
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
Through trades executed this offseason for Westbrook, Paul George and Jerami Grant, the Thunder now have eight additional first-round picks, and two pick swaps, through the 2026 season. According to Wojnarowski, Westbrook’s preferred destination was Houston, and a reunion with James Harden, whom he played with from 2009-2012. The two, along with Kevin Durant, helped lead the Thunder to the Finals in 2012.
Westbrook, 30, is owed an average of over $41 million over the next four seasons, with a player option in 2022-23. Paul, 34, is owed an average of just under $40 million over the next three seasons, with a player option in 2021-22.