Thunder Trades Russell Westbrook to Rockets for Chris Paul and Draft Picks

ESPN reports on yet another blockbuster deal in this year’s NBA off season. The Oklahoma City Thunder have sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and four draft picks over the next several years. The trade reunites Westbrook and James Harden, former teammates at OKC. Harden played for the Thunder in the 2009-10 through 2011-12 seasons. Both have been NBA MVPs; Westbrook in 2017 and Harden in 2018.

Paul is still an outstanding player, but at age 34, is four years older than Westbrook. OKC is in full rebuild mode, with an eye to the long term future; the team has acquired eight first round draft choices since the NBA draft, going all the way to 2026.

On the other hand, Houston is definitely in a Win Now mode. The landscape of the NBA Western Conference is changing, with the Clippers and Lakers improving themselves markedly, and the Golden State Warriors in decline. And there’s also the Trail Blazers and Nuggets in the mix.

Here’s a Russell Westbrook highlight reel: