Among the main reasons why Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook was traded for the second time in two off-seasons is the exorbitant contract he carries. The megadeal he signed in Oklahoma City will pay him an average annual value of $44.2 million over the next three seasons.
On top of that, the 32-year-old has earned about $206 million in salary over his 12-year NBA career to this point. Even though the nine-time All-Star has been handsomely paid for years, he's always been responsible with his spending.
After being dealt from the Houston Rockets to the Wizards, along with a first-round pick, in exchange for John Wall), Westbrook will be reunited with Scott Brooks, who developed a close bond with him during his seven seasons as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When asked to describe the veteran point guard in one word, Brooks went with “frugal,” according to The Athletic's Fred Katz. He elaborated with a particularly revealing anecdote about the star guard.
“One time, Brooks was on a plane, sitting first class and Westbrook walked by him to sit coach,” Katz tweeted. “Brooks asked him, why?? Russ said he didn’t wanna spend extra $300, then said, ‘I’m gonna get there the same time you’re gonna get there.'”
Beyond his fiscal responsibility, Brooks shared a story that indicates another signature characteristic of Westbrook: his competitiveness.
“With Russell, you never have to worry about him not playing hard. That's what he does,” Brooks said on Friday, via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports. “I said ‘Russ, you seem like during games and before games, you're so angry.' He said ‘Coach, I don't like 58 point guards in the league.' I get that. He's not friends with other teams. I appreciate that. It's almost a little bit like old school. All of his teammates love him. He's not into making friends. I came back and was like ‘what if there are three per team?' He was quick, like '87 point guards I don't like in the league.' He brings intensity. That's something that is very valuable and you can't teach. That's who you are and who he is.”
“I have a longstanding relationship with Russell and a lot of respect. His professionalism, his toughness, his intensity, his leadership, his drive, his determination…He's going to provide a lot of things that we need.”
Westbrook will make his Wizards pre-season debut (wearing No.4) on Sunday, Dec. 13 against the Brooklyn Nets. Washington opens its 2020-21 season on Dec. 23 in a road matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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