Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook Trade Haunts Rockets
The Houston Rockets' rebuild phase is long finished and rarely discussed today. Their valuable draft picks remain a key asset, especially those gained from the James Harden trade with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. These picks—which include the Phoenix Suns' 2027 and 2029 first-round selections—have been crucial for the team’s future planning.
However, the Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick is set to go to the Oklahoma City Thunder unless it lands within the top four, which would indicate a severe disappointingly poor season for Houston. This obligation originates from the 2019 trade that sent Chris Paul to the Thunder while Houston received Russell Westbrook, alongside 2024 and 2026 first-round picks and pick swaps in 2021 and 2025.
Houston only benefitted from Westbrook for one season, while Chris Paul’s Thunder ended with an identical 44-28 record. The two teams faced off in a grueling seven-game playoff series, highlighting the evenly matched squads.
"In July 2019, the Rockets were clinging to fading hopes of making a championship run with James Harden and tried this deal out of desperation. It effectively flatlined those dreams for good and shifted everything for the franchise. Westbrook was always a strange choice to slot alongside Harden."
Impact of the Trade on the Rockets
- The trade is viewed as a pivotal moment that still shadows the Rockets as of 2025.
- Houston exchanged future draft flexibility with the Thunder due to this deal.
- It marked the end of realistic title aspirations centered on Harden during that period.
The Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade remains a defining and haunting decision, shaping the Rockets' trajectory for years.
Summary: The 2019 Paul-Westbrook trade significantly altered the Rockets' future, trading key draft picks to the Thunder and ending championship hopes linked to Harden’s era.