via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stands on the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 20: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Houston Rockets stands on the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The NBA is still reeling from the news of the Russell Westbrook – John Wall trade. The Washington Wizards traded John Wall and a 2023 first-round pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
This move is arguably the biggest trade in this off-season. Westbrook and Wall had asked to be traded from their respective teams in the off-season. Westbrook failed to reach his goals with the Houston Rockets and James Harden after joining them last year, whereas Wall has been on the shelf since December 2018 and had off-the-court problems with teammate Bradley Beal.
via Imago
SAITAMA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 08: Russell Westbrook #0 of Houston Rockets dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors on October 8, 2019 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)
The trade is a befuddling one for both teams. The Rockets are gambling on John Wall, who is coming off a two-year stretch of being hurt. Wall injured his Achilles and given that his play depends on his athleticism, he may not return to his All-Star level best for the Rockets.
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Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook is 32 years old and has a massive contract. Given that Westbrook’s best days are potentially behind him, it is puzzling as to why the Wizards would take on his large contract. However, if Westbrook can replicate his form from his OKC days, the Wizards will gladly pay him that money.
Magic Johnson on the Russell Westbrook – John Wall trade
Everyone now has to watch out for the Wizards! They traded for Russell Westbrook today. A @russwest44/@RealDealBeal23 will terrorize the East and make the Wizards a playoff team.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 3, 2020
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For the Wizards, this move helps their chances to enter the playoffs this season. Given that the Wizards play in the East, they have made their team much stronger. The dynamic duo of Beal and Westbrook could be one of the best in the NBA this season. The two could help elevate the Wizards into the playoffs again.
The duo of Westbrook and Bradley Beal could make the Wizards a perennial playoffs team, something they have not been for a long, long time. The two could be great fun to watch.
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LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson took to Twitter to discuss the trade news. Johnson believes that this duo could be a dominant pair in the Eastern Conference. He tweeted “Everyone now has to watch out for the Wizards! They traded for Russell Westbrook today. A @russwest44/@RealDealBeal23 will terrorize the East and make the Wizards a playoff team.”
Beal and Westbrook will be an interesting pairing. The duo will take to the court when the new NBA season begins on December 22, 2020.
