On this day one year ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul. Both teams have not lost a beat and going to be in the playoffs this year after the trade.
Westbrook was the longest-tenured player for OKC after Nick Collison retired. Westbrook was with the team that drafted him for 11 seasons. During his time at OKC, he averaged 23.0 points, 8.4 assists and 7.0 rebounds. He averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons and won an MVP award before leaving for the Houston Rockets.
Sam Presti said this about Westbrook after the trade:
“Russell Westbrook is the most important player in the brief history of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has left an incredible mark on this team, city and state. None of us could have anticipated the player he has become, and we are all deeply proud of what he has contributed to the success of the franchise and to our community. Russell and his wife Nine, their three children, his brother and his parents will always remain part of the Thunder family. We wish them nothing but happiness and success in the future.”
Westbrook did a lot for the OKC Thunder and was their hope after Kevin Durant left. The team has moved on and found success with Chris Paul. The Thunder have a lot of draft picks after moving their two superstars in Paul George and Westbrook. They are hoping that they will get lucky and find another superstar in the draft that will be an MVP caliber player.
