Russ-to-Rockets official; Presti provides fond farewell

It is official: Russell Westbrook is now a member of the Houston Rockets.

The long-reported deal that has the Rockets buying Westbrook from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in change for Chris Paul, two future first-round picks (2024 and 2026) and the rights to 2 first-round swaps (2021 and 2025) was introduced by each groups Tuesday night.

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“Russell Westbrook is crucial participant within the temporary historical past of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder,” OKC common supervisor Sam Presti stated in an announcement. “He has left an indelible mark on this crew, metropolis and state. None of us may have anticipated the participant he has grow to be, and we’re all deeply happy with what he has contributed to the success of the franchise and to our neighborhood. Russell and his spouse Nina, their three youngsters, his brother and his dad and mom will all the time stay a part of the Thunder household. We want them nothing however happiness and success sooner or later.”

Westbrook was initially chosen by the Seattle SuperSonics fourth general in 2008, however by no means performed a sport for the Sonics. The crew relocated to Oklahoma Metropolis simply weeks after Westbrook was drafted and he spent the primary 11 seasons of his profession with the Thunder, successful the MVP in 2017.

Westbrook leaves as Oklahoma Metropolis’s all-time chief in factors (18,859), assists (6,897), rebounds (5,760) and steals (1,442).

Westbrook made NBA historical past in 2016-17, turning into the primary participant since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to common a triple-double. He broke Robertson’s mark of triple-doubles in a season with 42, after which went on to common a triple-double in two extra seasons. Westbrook is tied for second all time with Magic Johnson at 138 profession triple-doubles, behind solely Robertson (181).

“I’ve a substantial amount of respect for Russell and there’s no approach to adequately describe our appreciation for what he has meant to Oklahomans,” Thunder chairman Clay Bennett stated. “His legacy right here is immense, and he might be honored by the crew for all he has achieved. We want he and Nina and their household all the perfect. Whereas this period of Thunder basketball now involves an finish, I am assured our gifted crew of individuals will as soon as once more place the Thunder for fulfillment sooner or later.”

It is official, RT to welcome @russwest44 to Houston! pic.twitter.com/XwN9zn1Dhj

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 17, 2019

Westbrook’s mark on the franchise was felt most importantly within the wake of Kevin Durant’s departure to the Warriors in 2016. With hypothesis rising that Westbrook would probably be traded, he as an alternative signed an extension with the Thunder, after which re-upped once more the next yr for a five-year, most contract deal — on the time the richest contract in NBA historical past.

However after Paul George requested a commerce and was dealt to the Clippers on July 6, Westbrook and the Thunder intensified discussions about his future with the franchise, which resulted in each events agreeing a commerce was the perfect final result.

“We just lately had conversations with Russell concerning the crew, his profession, and the way he sees the long run,” Presti stated in Tuesday’s assertion. “By these conversations we got here to the understanding that some different conditions could be one thing that made sense for him. Because of this, and because of his historical past with the Thunder, we labored collectively to accommodate this. Our means to have most of these conversations and work so carefully with Russell and his agent Thad Foucher is just attainable due to the depth of the connection that has been constructed over the past 11 years.”

Westbrook is one among simply 10 gamers in NBA historical past to file 15,000 factors, 5,000 rebounds and 5,000 assists with a single franchise. Seven of them are within the Corridor of Fame; the opposite two are Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Throughout his 11 seasons with the Thunder, Westbrook appeared in 821 video games (804 begins) and averaged 23.zero factors, eight.four assists, 7.zero rebounds and 1.76 steals in 34.5 minutes per sport. He was named to eight All-Star groups and is the one participant in NBA historical past to steer the league in scoring and assists in a number of seasons.

The Thunder add Paul, however as ESPN has reported, he’s working along with his representatives to redirect him to a different crew. The Miami Warmth have been distinguished in these conversations. As they survey out there commerce eventualities, nevertheless, the Thunder are shifting ahead with the mindset Paul might be on the crew to start subsequent season.

Paul, a nine-time All-Star, performed in Oklahoma Metropolis for 2 seasons, 2005-06 and 2006-07, as New Orleans handled the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“Getting a participant of Chris’ caliber provides us one other skilled playmaker and chief, whereas the extra draft picks proceed to permit us to additional decide to the long-term imaginative and prescient that we’re embarking on for the Thunder,” Presti stated. “We welcome Chris again to Oklahoma Metropolis the place as a member of the Hornets he helped to pave the way in which for the Thunder’s arrival in OKC.”