Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook Trade Seen as a 'Haunting Deal' for Rockets
The Houston Rockets' rebuilding phase is long finished, and the topic no longer draws attention. Yet, valuable draft picks remain a key asset for the team, largely due to the James Harden trade with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. Those picks now belong to the Phoenix Suns for the 2027 and 2029 first rounds.
However, the Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick is set to go to the Oklahoma City Thunder unless it falls within the top four, signaling a poor season for Houston. This condition stems from the 2019 trade that sent Chris Paul to the Thunder and brought Russell Westbrook to Houston, along with several draft picks and pick swaps for 2021 and 2025.
The Rockets received only one season of Westbrook's playtime, while Paul’s Thunder team ended with the same 44-28 record. Both teams ultimately met in a fierce seven-game playoff series.
"In July 2019, the Rockets were clinging to fading hopes of making a championship run with James Harden and tried this deal out of desperation. It effectively flatlined those dreams for good and shifted everything for the franchise. Westbrook was always a strange choice to slot alongside Harden."
Impact of the Trade on the Rockets’ Future
- The trade included 2024 and 2026 first-round picks plus pick swaps in 2021 and 2025 sent to the Thunder.
- Houston’s 2026 first-round pick likely going to the Thunder points to ongoing consequences of that deal.
- The trade is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that disrupted Houston's championship ambitions.
The deal, highlighted by Bleacher Report, remains a significant burden for the Rockets even six years later, affecting their roster construction and future assets.
Summary
The 2019 Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade continues to impact the Houston Rockets deeply, limiting their draft assets and undermining their championship plans years after the fact.
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