This offseason, Houston Rockets‘ star duo James Harden and Russell Westbrook had requested for a trade. This came when the Rockets let go of Mike D’Antoni as head coach and also allowed their general manager, Daryl Morey, to resign and get hired by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden and Westbrook had other reasons because of which they wanted to leave. James wanted to join the Brooklyn Nets so he could play with his former teammate, Kevin Durant. Westbrook, on the other hand, desired to be the primary ball-handler, which he wasn’t getting with Harden in the roster.
It looks like Westbrook has finally gotten what he wanted. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Houston has agreed to trade Westbrook to the Washington Wizards in exchange for John Wall and a first-round pick.
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Houston has agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 3, 2020
While pairing Bradley Beal and Westbrook might be a great thing for the Wizards, the Rockets have taken a huge risk by acquiring John. This is because Wall is coming off one of the worst injuries in basketball, a torn Achilles. The 30-year-old hasn’t played since 2019 and there is no guarantee about the value he will bring when he returns.
Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal: A perfect match
When Westbrook was playing for Oklahoma City Thunder, his partnership with Paul George stood out. Both of them played together for two years between 2017 and 2019. Westbrook was leading in assists and George was leading in steals. Even though both flourished as players beside each other, they could not lead the team beyond the first round of the playoffs.
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With that in mind, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins thinks Westbrook is perfect for Beal’s growth. He posted on Twitter, “You can say what you want about Russ. But all I know is that when Paul George played next to him. He was an all-star and MVP candidate. He’s gonna push Bradley Beal to another level! Carry on…”
You can say what you want about Russ, but all I know is that when Paul George played next to him, he was an all star and MVP candidate.
He’s gonna push Bradley Beal to another level! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 3, 2020
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Beal’s stellar shooting ability and off-ball movement will work perfectly alongside Westbrook’s style of play. Together, the two can be one of the league’s better offensive backcourt and help the Wizards land a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.