18/04/2025

Young Runs

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Running through the cost and outcome of the three previous Russell Westbrook trades

Running through the cost and outcome of the three previous Russell Westbrook trades
Russell Westbrook
Apr 5, 2022 Phoenix, Arizona, United states Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook versus the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Necessary Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-United states Right now Sporting activities

Russell Westbrook’s trade historical past has been a subject matter of discussion not long ago. He’s performed for 4 groups in as several many years and most men and women think the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t his remaining halt. Even even though there’s no news of a Westbrook trade request, it is clear that he’d welcome a adjust of surroundings following parting techniques with his agent.

Russell Westbrook trade heritage

Russell Westbrook is a 1st-ballot Hall of Famer and really should be addressed as this sort of. Nevertheless, as fantastic as he is, he’s normally been his no. 1 enemy. He refuses to adapt his recreation to his teammates, and that in no way-ending aggressiveness can be harmful to his general performance in key stretches of the sport.

That’s why Westbrook has normally been these kinds of a controversial participant. Some assert he’s a stat-padder, still he does points no other player in the league can. I suggest, if it was that easy, how appear no other player experienced averaged a triple-double for a comprehensive year numerous situations in his profession?

So, with that in thoughts, let us take a glance back again at his occupation and how things have fared for him ever since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Leaving Oklahoma

There was no signal of a Westbrook trade request. If something, he extended his agreement with the Thunder even when Kevin Durant resolved to go away. However, it was clear that the Thunder essential a rebuild immediately after shedding Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, and they felt like he deserved the chance to perform for a contender.

The Thunder traded him for Chris Paul, two initial-round picks, and two pick swaps. He struggled previously in the season following to James Harden and only performed 57 online games because of to damage, but acquired hot as the group arrived at the playoffs.

He averaged 27.2 details, 7.9 rebounds, 7. assists, and 1.6 steals for each activity, ending a 3-yr streak of averaging a triple-double. They beat the Thunder in the very first round but misplaced to the Lakers in the second.

Arriving in DC

On experiences of an alleged beef involving him and Harden, the Washington Wizards obtained Westbrook for John Wall and a lottery-safeguarded very first-spherical select. The Wizards considered pairing him with Bradley Beal would propel them again to playoff contention, as Wall experienced skipped a good deal of time with multiple accidents.

His tenure with the Washington Wizards is possibly the most underrated amongst all of Russell Westbrook’s trade historical past. When again, he looked negative early in the yr, but he set the Washington Wizards on his shoulders and led them to an unlikely playoff berth. The Wizards finished the season 34-38, but continue to made it to the postseason as the eighth-seed. Sadly, they had been no rival for the Philadelphia 76ers in the first spherical.

A homecoming in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers could’ve landed Buddy Hield, but LeBron James and Anthony Davis urged them to trade for Russell Westbrook in its place. This Westbrook’s trade information are even now quite baffling, though, as he was a aspect of a 5-group trade that sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell to Washington, and necessary multiple decide on swaps and slight movements also involving the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.

1 didn’t have to be a basketball connoisseur to comprehend that the trio of James, Westbrook, and Davis would have a challenging time jointly on the flooring, as they are all ball-dominant gamers and not exactly elite a few-position shooters. So, it wasn’t shocking to see them miss the playoffs in their initial year as the new Big 3.

Westbrook was the fall male and several fans blamed him for the team’s shortcomings. That’s not good, nor is it correct, but when once more, he was hesitant to be held accountable and failed to regulate to his team’s needs. Now, they are reportedly willing to operate it back and give it a further shot, but we would not rule out another trade in his foreseeable future.