Rockets Send Russell Westbrook to Wizards for John Wall

The Rockets are trading an All-Star point guard for the second straight season.

Houston is sending Russell Westbrook to the Wizards for John Wall and a protected 2023 first-round pick, according to ESPN and The Athletic.

Houston has agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 3, 2020

Sources: Protection on the first-round pick that the Wizards traded to Houston in Russell Westbrook/John Wall trade: 2023, Lottery; 2024, Top 12; 2025, Top 10; 2026, Top 8; then becomes two second-rounders.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 3, 2020

The deal will reunite Westbrook with former Thunder coach Scott Brooks.

The swap of the super max extensions:

Russell Westbrook to Washington

$41.4M, $44.2M and $47.1M (P)

John Wall to Houston

$41.3M, $44.3M and $47.4M (P)
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 3, 2020

Speaking of reunions, this swap also reunites Wall with his Kentucky teammate DeMarcus Cousins.

Wall, who hasn't played since 2018 due to injury, will get a fresh start in Houston after requesting a trade from the Wizards.

Wall also has a 15% trade kicker which he reportedly refused to waive.

Russell Westbrook and John Wall have some new threads 👀 pic.twitter.com/aeGDSGaVgc
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 3, 2020

A James Harden and Wall backcourt will be, ahem, interesting to say the least. Which begs the question, is Harden the next star on the way out of Houston?