It was July 11, 2019 when the Rockets agreed to one of the biggest and most shocking trades in team history: Chris Paul and future draft considerations to Oklahoma City in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
At 31 years old, Westbrook is four years younger than the 35-year-old Paul and far more explosive — which is why Houston had to pay the premium to the Thunder of giving up first-round draft selections in 2024 and 2026, along with the rights to swap picks in 2021 and 2025.
Westbrook is also close friends with Houston superstar James Harden, which gave GM Daryl Morey even more incentive to do the deal. The Thunder had become willing to deal their franchise icon after the earlier departure of Paul George had led them into a rebuilding phase of sorts.
One year ago today. Westbrook. https://t.co/5qgRnrJchQ
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 11, 2020
At least to this point in the 2019-20 season, the trade of future Hall of Fame point guards has worked out well for both teams. The Thunder and Rockets are each 40-24 and tied for the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference, and “The Point God” has played a key role in Oklahoma City’s success by staying healthy — which he couldn’t do in Houston.
After missing 24 games in each of his two regular seasons with the Rockets, “CP3” has played in all but one game for the Thunder this year. Paul is averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 assists per game, and his shooting percentage has risen from 41.9% in 2018-19 to 48.9% this season.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is averaging 27.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in a brilliant debut season in Houston. His 47.4% shooting percentage is the best of his entire career, and the scoring and efficiency numbers by the league’s 2017 MVP and a nine-time NBA All-Star have progressively improved as the season has moved along.
Both Westbrook and Paul played in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, and each are expected to have key roles for their teams when the 2019-20 season finally resumes later this month in Florida.
The journey began one year ago with the shocking agreement, but the true impact and significance of the trade won’t begin to be known until results from the 2020 NBA playoffs come in. Stay tuned!
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