In 2019, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Russell Westbrook to the Rockets for Chris Paul, a 2024 protected first-round pick, a 2026 protected first-round pick, and two pick swaps (2021 and 2025). The Thunder used the 2024 pick to select Nikola Topic, who missed the 2024-25 season with a partially torn ACL. The 2025 swap didn't convey since it fell in the top. 10, a pick the Rockets traded to the Suns in the Kevin Durant trade (Phoenix will get Khaman Maluach), but that doesn't mean the Russ trade didn't work out in OKC's favor.
Paul spent one season with the Thunder, averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 48.9% from the field and 36.5% from three. He hasn't averaged that many points in a single season since then (2019-20), a number that he won't reach again. The point guard's time in OKC was brief, but impactful, and he helped the team acquire another asset.
The Thunder traded Paul to the Suns in 2020 for Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a 2022 first-round pick. The pick was No. 30 overall. Oklahoma City drafted Peyton Watson, but traded him to Denver on draft night in exchange for JaMychal Green and a 2027 first-round pick. The Thunder used a couple of those players in trades to acquire additional draft assets.
Oklahoma City got what it wanted out of the Westbrook trade -- and then some. Meanwhile, Westbrook spent only one season in Houston, in which the Lakers eliminated the Rockets in the semifinals. Westbrook requested a trade from Houston because he didn't like the culture and lack of team accountability, which led him to the Wizards.
Thunder trading Russell Westbrook to Rockets still looks good for OKC
The Westbrook trade is one of many moves that Sam Presti orchestrated to put the Thunder in a position to win their first-ever title. Once upon a time, fans hoped Westbrook and Durant would be the ones to win a championship in OKC, but that dream officially ended when KD signed with the Warriors in 2016. Nine years later, fans got what they had waited so long for.
The Rockets traded for Westbrook, hoping that pairing him alongside James Harden would give Houston a title, but that didn't come close to happening. They're in a much better position now than they were then, but not because of the Westbrook trade.
The Thunder still have future picks from the trade to look forward to, so it's a gift that will keep on giving. If you do business with Sam Presti, prepare to be on the losing end of the deal. He's a mastermind.