New Houston Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook knew he could soon be wearing a different uniform after 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder soon after a third straight first-round exit this past postseason. According to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle, the 2016-17 MVP “met with the Thunder front office this week to say he would welcome a trade following Paul George’s departure to the Clippers. But an individual with knowledge of the talks said Westbrook initially broached the subject after OKC’s season ended with a first-round loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.”
Westbrook was bid goodbye with a memorable 30-foot buzzer-beater by Blazers star Damian Lillard, one he won't recover from to run it back with the same team, now joining his former Thunder teammate on the Rockets.
The Thunder and the Rockets expected to need a third team to get involved and take on Paul's contract, but OKC chose to take Paul outright and then ship him to his next destination — which only facilitated the deal.
OKC probed the Miami Heat recently, asking for two of three in rookie Tyler Herro, center Bam Adebayo and forward Justise Winslow, bu the Heat said no to the former two, seeing them as foundational pieces for their growth.
![Tari Eason ready for Rockets season after injury rehab [Exclusive]](https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_0833.jpeg)
That hesitation could have very well cost the Heat this trade, as the Thunder pivoted to the Rockets right after their trade conversations stalled with Miami, eventually getting a deal done on Thursday.
Westbrook knew his time in Oklahoma City would come to a close with no sign of progress in sight, and it's only fair he gets another shot with a fellow MVP-caliber player.
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