[ad_1]
Just when it seemed like the NBA offseason was drawing to a close, the Rockets Y Magicians caused quite a stir Wednesday night, trading star point guards. Russell Westbrook addressed Washington in the highly successful deal in exchange for John wall and a lottery-protected 2023 first-round pick.
While the news of the trade deal came as a surprise when it broke last night, it makes perfect sense in at least one respect: Westbrook and Wall’s oversized contracts didn’t attract the majority of NBA teams, so trading them between yes. It was the logical move.
“The exchange seemed inevitable”, an executive from the Eastern Conference told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “Two players in similar stages of their careers and both demanding a change of scenery. Brooks takes on a force of nature with which he is well versed. Houston gets a much-needed first-round pick as they move toward rebuilding. “
Another East executive who spoke with Scotto suggested the Wizards are “safe” a playoff team after adding Westbrook, while a scout told HoopsHype that he is optimistic about Westbrook in DC since he was head coach. Scott brooks “You know how to use it.” However, not everyone who spoke to Scotto loved the trade for the Wizards.
“Two of the worst contracts traded should tell you something”, a Western Conference GM told HoopsHype. Did you see Russ play last year? It slowed down (James) Harden. I feel bad for Beal. “
Here are more reactions and analysis from one of the biggest trades of the 2020 offseason:
- Michael Lee of The Washington Post (Twitter link) learns that DC was Westbrook’s preferred destination and that the former MVP is intrigued by the opportunity to partner with Bradley Beal and return to play for Brooks, his former coach in Oklahoma City.
- The Rockets remain in winning mode now and “would not agree” to trade Westbrook for a package that signaled a full-scale rebuild, writes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko adds that initial talks between the two teams stalled because they were haggling over draft capital and the possible inclusion of another young player, such as Thomas bryant – in a deal. Houston and Washington finally kept it simple, simply adding a single first-round pick to the Westbrook / Wall trade.
- NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin raises five big questions related to the trade, including how much Wall has left in the tank after missing nearly two full years due to injury.
- The trade is the right move for the Wizards, but it is fraught with risk, writes Ben Golliver for The Washington Post. Elsewhere in The Washington Post, Jerry Brewer says goodbye to Wall and writes that the departure of the former No. 1 pick “seems premature and overdue.”
- Owner of Wizards Ted leonsis He had to choose between Wall and Beal and ultimately decided to stay with Beal, says David Aldridge of The Athletic. “At the end of the day, this is a call from Ted” a source told Aldridge.
- The Westbrook / Wall trade is a sign of how the two point guards are valued in today’s NBA, according to Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, who says “the teams that matter aren’t the least bit concerned about this move.”
- Having covered Westbrook in Oklahoma City, The Athletic’s Fred Katz tells Wizards fans what to expect from their new point guard.
[ad_2]
