If you’re a fan of the Houston Rockets, you’re going crazy. The coach and general manager are gone. Now, Russell Westbrook is on the way out, too.
So hug the next Rockets fan you see.
Adrian Wojnarowski, the noted NBA guru, broke the news first. He posted on Twitter: “Houston has agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.”
Meanwhile, Wojnarowski added another layer to the story. He reported the general managers of Houston and Washington “hadn’t talked in weeks.” But the two “connected this afternoon and had a deal done within a few hours.”
Now, if Houston fans paid attention this offseason, they’d know Westbrook wanted out. He requested a trade. But it still hurts to see such a dynamic player leave after a single season.
Westbrook averaged 27.2 points per game, shooting 47.2 percent, during his lone season with the Rockets. He also averaged 7.9 rebounds and seven assists.
Houston made it to the Western Conference semifinals. The Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, the eventual NBA champions, in five games.
Meanwhile, Rockets fans already are anxious. What happens to star James Harden, who reportedly demanded a trade to the Brooklyn Nets? Harden wants to play with Kevin Durant, his close friend. Fans know Harden turned down the Rockets contract extension.
Since the season ended, the Rockets parted ways with coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey. Owner Tillman Fertitta hired Stephen Silas as coach and Rafael Stone as general manager.
Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins center reacted with an emoji.
NBA Fans React To Russell Westbrook Trade
Of course, NBA fans had opinions.
Maybe Harden stays now and will be on the court with new Rockets player John Wall. Conversely, that would be good for Houston’s bar scene, said one NBA fan.
Wall hasn’t played since December, 2018. He suffered a heel injury and ruptured his Achilles.
Then there were the fans comparing Westbrook and Wall.
