Image via Getty/David Dow
Headache for headache. Malcontent for malcontent. Flawed, aging point guard for flawed, point guard with a serious injury history. Plus a first-round pick.
Wednesday evening’s Russell Westbrook for John Wall trade that caught the basketball world by surprise looks like the quintessential “we’ll trade our problem for your problem and hope for the best” scenario. But there are always winners and losers in every NBA transaction, and when players of Westbrook and Wall’s caliber get dealt it’s nuanced.
The two GM's -- Washington's Tommy Sheppard and Houston's Rafael Stone -- hadn't talked in weeks on the deal, but connected this afternoon and had a deal done within a few hours, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/qmuPclNoU5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 3, 2020
So let’s break down the most interesting and star-studded trade the Association has blessed us with in 2020 just as training camps have opened.
Winner: Russell Westbrook
2019-20 Stats: 27.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.0 APG, All-NBA Third Team
Westbrook reportedly wanted out of Houston so he could get back to playing his preferred way. He got his wish before he had to meet with the media and answer questions about his future with the Rockets. Even better, the 2017 NBA MVP gets to team up with Scott Brooks, who coached him in Oklahoma City for seven seasons. Westbrook and Brooks reportedly remain close and if Westbrook wanted to end up with an organization where he’d have an advocate, mission accomplished.
Loser: Washington Wizards
2019-20 Record: 25-47, 9th East
At 32 years old, with a style of play that hasn’t really changed and doesn’t project to age well, the three years and $132 million remaining on Westbrook’s contract (the final year is a $47 million player option), the Wizards just absorbed a whopper of a contract. Westbrook’s deficiencies are well known—he’s dreadful from beyond the arc, erratic with the ball, and the athleticism that made him such a force with the Thunder ain't what it used to be. Worst of all, Washington had to give up a first-round pick to land Westbrook. Washington is not contending for Eastern Conference supremacy with Westbrook running the show. They’d be better off hoarding draft picks rather than attaching ultra-valuable first-rounders in lateral trades.
Winner: Stephen Silas
Agreed to 4-year deal in October
The rookie Rockets head coach, conceivably, has one less headache to deal with as he takes over the ship in Houston. We don’t know how miserable or toxic Westbrook would’ve made life for the Rockets had he been on the roster when the season tips. But Silas doesn’t have to lose anymore sleep trying to make Westbrook work in his offense that’s going to look different from the small ball former coach Mike D’Antoni ran at the end of last season.
Loser: Houston Rockets
2019-20 Record: 44-28, 4th West
The Rockets just absorbed John Wall’s gigantic contract (same as Westbrook’s—howboutthat?—three years and $132 million, player option for $47 million in the final year) with uncertainty about what kind of player he will be going forward. Remember, Wall hasn’t played in a NBA game in almost two years. He’s now 30 and coming off a torn Achilles. Players who tear the tendon rarely, if ever, return as the same player.
You should never assume something in journalism, but does anyone think Harden is that hyped to welcome Wall to the Rockets, even if he reportedly prefered Wall over Westbrook? Is Wall’s acquisition going to dead The Beard’s reported desire to leave Houston for Brooklyn or some other legit title contender? After the Rockets got rid of a problem in Westbrook, they still have to figure out what to do with their most important and perplexing one. Wall’s addition—even if his game is different from Westbrook’s, it's not that different—doesn't feel like something that’s going to change Harden’s stance since the Rockets have a new GM, new coach, have to define their new culture, and look like a squad with a second-round playoff ceiling in the West.
All that being said, the Rockets aren't the biggest losers since they did get a first-round pick for Westbrook. However, there are serious restrictions on the pick—it's lottery protected in 2023 plus specific protections over the following three drafts. It morphs into a second-round pick in 2026 and 2027, according to Wojnarowski, if it's not conveyed in the first-round by 2026.
Winner: DeMarcus Cousins
Signed 1-year, $2.3M non-guaranteed contract
The newly acquired big man, who The Athletic and Stadium senior NBA insider Shams Charania told us earlier this week on The Complex Sports Podcast has looked great during workouts, teamed up with Wall during their days at Kentucky. Cousins has had it rough the last few years fighting through injuries. So has Wall. You’d like to think the two Wildcats are hyped to be reunited.
Loser: Bradley Beal
2019-20 Stats: 30.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.1 APG
Westbrook can dish out assists—he is Mr. Triple-Double, after all—but he’s also a black hole with the basketball at times and he’ll take too many shots he has no business taking. Shots that Beal should be taking—you know, the Wizards best player. Beal is undoubtedly going to lose out on touches and shots with Westbrook on the court. Hopefully he's cool with that.
Now let me be clear here: a lot of guys who play with Westbrook will sing his praises as a human and as a teammate. Westbrook has a nasty persona on the court—he's as competitive as it gets—and he can get pissy with the media afterwards in the locker room. But he's a good guy. He has a big heart. That being said, when you’re an elite player like the 27-year-old Beal is, and you’re clearly the present and (the Wizards hope) future of the franchise, the addition of Westbrook isn’t really doing you too many favors. Beal's a free agent in 2023. If he and Westbrook don't mesh, does Beal look to bounce?
Winner: New York Knicks
Potential 2021-22 Cap Space: $45 million
The Knicks, you ask? Well, the franchise that forever makes ridiculous and shortsighted moves didn’t bite on trading for either Westbrook (rumored) or Wall (never really rumored) that would’ve sabotaged the massive cap space they’re accumulating for next summer’s awesome free agent class. Past Knicks regimes might have been more inclined to bring in Westbrook just so they could get a star to run around Madison Square Garden for a 30-win team. With new president Leon Rose running things, New York actually showed some discipline and Knicks fans should be grateful.