FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 file photo, Houston Rockets' Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder's Nerlens Noel, right, defends during the second half of an NBA first-round playoff basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Houston Rockets have traded Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a future lottery-protected. first-round pick. Both teams announced the trade Wednesday night, Dec. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Russell Westbrook talks Wizards’ trade

Russell Westbrook is now a member of the Washington Wizards.

The point guard, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, moved to the nation’s capital in exchange for fellow point guard John Wall. The Rockets announced the trade on Dec. 2.

Westbrook: From top ten pick… to history-making trade

The Seattle SuperSonics drafted Westbrook fourth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft. Not long after, the team moved to Oklahoma City and became the franchise now known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook spent 11 seasons with the team before departing for Houston. During his tenure with the Thunder, he was an eight time NBA All Star and the league MVP in 2017.

However, a trade with the Houston Rockets sent the point guard to the lonestar state in 2019 in exchange for point guard Chris Paul.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1149804677673996288?s=20

Westbrook spent one season with the Rockets, where he averaged 27.2 points per game and 7.9 rebounds.

Making the Trade

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reports that Westbrook wanted out of Houston, so the franchise began looking at a potential trade.

However, though the NBA star refuses to explain why he wanted out. Rather than give such details, he chose to focus on the future, telling media that he was “happy about where [he’s] at.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the deal to trade Wall for Westbrook came together in a matter of hours.

The combined contracts of both Westbrook and Wall are more than $378 million, which makes the trade the richest in NBA history.

Westbrook on his new franchise

Though he didn’t want to disclose his reasons for seeking a trade, he was happy to talk about his new team. Despite only recently becoming a Wizard, he already likes what he’s seen of their culture.

And while he knows he’s been brought in to make a difference on the court, he also recognizes the opportunity to impact the local community, too.

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