TRADE: Westbrook to WAS | Wall + lottery protected '23 1st to HOU

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1334300248743813125

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https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status...5436466177

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https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status...1841070080

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https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1334303767399952391

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https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/...1595976704

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/...9634984963

[SkenfromLMF]

Okay, as someone who likes the idea of Bradley Beal, Westbrook going to Washington might be the best thing that could happen. The hope is that Beal and Russ can't co-exist and Washington determines to move one. I don't know of anyone left willing to take on Westbrook, I mean there aren't many Paul or Wall contracts left to dump.

[BolsDamols]

Westbrook to Beal in Day 1 of Camp

https://media.giphy.com/media/zOlog7jgIIFfq/giphy.gif

[Kammrath]

https://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/...0076477443

[SleepingHero]

I take 1 nap and Woj drops the biggest Woj bomb in years. WOW

[IamDougieFresh]

Russ will probably feast in the east tbh

[SleepingHero]

I wonder what this means for Houston now. Are they still gunning for the playoffs?

Wall hasn't played a single game in 2 years.

[Mavsfan12]

I wonder what this means for Houston now. Are they still gunning for the playoffs?

Wall hasn't played a single game in 2 years.

It kind of depends on Wall's health.  TBH, a healthy Wall is a better fit next to Harden.  I don't think they are going into this thinking they are screwed.  Also, I am sure, like all trades, this is pending a physical.  They will know what they have before it goes through.  Wall didn't just luck into a supermax contract... he was an elite two-way PG in the league.  If he is even 90% of his former self, this was a homerun for Houston.  The season starts soon - he is either going to be healthy or not. 

The REAL question is whether or not Harden has already checked out.

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Wall looks quick in this workout.  This is potentially a very good thing for Houston.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1334308281045708801

[StepBackJay]

John Wall does look really good. This goes back to the idea that guys with excess athleticism - in this case I believe Wall had like a 43 in vertical which is insane - can lose a big chunk and still be above average athletically in the NBA. KD has also looked good in the small videos I have seen.

So for Powell who had an excellent 35 in vertical and was very athletic/quick twitch in general, maybe he can lose 5-10% of that and still be a very effective NBA player.

We have a pretty negative view around here due to Matthews and JJB. Matthews had good NBA athleticism in his prime but was not a first round talent in large part due to his lack of above avg athleticisim and modest offensive skillset. He did have a good first step in his hay day but he wasn't a stand-out athletic player. Post-injury he still looks a step or two slow. Watching him run looks like an average 30 yr old gym rat you run into at the rec center, nothing special at all. His defense is extremely overrated and Luka absolutely kills him.

JJB did have a very good vertical (I don't recall what it was) and was athletic/quick but was 35 I think when he was injured which clearly took most of his athleticism away, similar to Matthews. Coming back he had his moments but does not have any lift (like Matthews) and looks a step slow. He is so smart he can play the position still but we'd all rather see him retire at this point.

So back to Powell - he has a huge advantage being so athletic to begin with, similar to Wall, KD and Gay back when he got hurt. I think he will be able to do enough of what he needs to do to still be very effective, especially when he comes off the bench.

[fifteenth]

Oh man, Wall and Harden together, aren't they both most famous for partying?

[StepBackJay]

Obv with Wall is he had an avalanche of injuries but I think he's going to be finally back to near full strength. His game compliments Harden's better since he can do more off-ball stuff (like you know, shoot) vs Westbrook who could do pretty much nothing without the ball in his hands.

I can see why the Wiz would like Westbrook who is a very good player without the baggage of being injured for 2 years. Beal can also do more off-ball stuff. Westbrook will all a high usage rate but I think he can help raise the floor of that Wiz team. I can definitely see why both teams had interest in swapping players.

I am not certain yet that Houston is going to take a huge step back unless they decide to trade Harden. Assuming they keep Harden they are still putting together a roster that will be a playoff team in that 4-6 range most likely.

Houston's starting lineup is something like: Wall, Harden, House or Gordon, Tucker and Wood. This is still a good lineup with Gordon being maybe a 6th man. Cousins will provide some offense off the bench but I think he is close to being cooked.

That starting lineup gives you 5 out without having to go ultra small. Tucker at the 4 makes a lot more sense. I know RoCo would have been better in that lineup but they cashed in on a good deal for RoCo. Tucker at the 4 means you don't have to have RoCo at the 4 and an athletic 5 who can shoot outside is perfect for their system.

So all that to say I would not count out the Rockets as a force in the West. I don't think they sign Wood to the deal they did if they were going to blow things up.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Harden in just 2 years has managed to chase away 2 future HOFamers.

[Mavsfan12]

Obv with Wall is he had an avalanche of injuries but I think he's going to be finally back to near full strength. His game compliments Harden's better since he can do more off-ball stuff (like you know, shoot) vs Westbrook who could do pretty much nothing without the ball in his hands.

I can see why the Wiz would like Westbrook who is a very good player without the baggage of being injured for 2 years. Beal can also do more off-ball stuff. Westbrook will all a high usage rate but I think he can help raise the floor of that Wiz team. I can definitely see why both teams had interest in swapping players.

I am not certain yet that Houston is going to take a huge step back unless they decide to trade Harden. Assuming they keep Harden they are still putting together a roster that will be a playoff team in that 4-6 range most likely.

Houston's starting lineup is something like: Wall, Harden, House or Gordon, Tucker and Wood. This is still a good lineup with Gordon being maybe a 6th man. Cousins will provide some offense off the bench but I think he is close to being cooked.

That starting lineup gives you 5 out without having to go ultra small. Tucker at the 4 makes a lot more sense. I know RoCo would have been better in that lineup but they cashed in on a good deal for RoCo. Tucker at the 4 means you don't have to have RoCo at the 4 and an athletic 5 who can shoot outside is perfect for their system.

So all that to say I would not count out the Rockets as a force in the West. I don't think they sign Wood to the deal they did if they were going to blow things up.

They basically traded RoCo for Wood and a pick.  (as they used ariza/one of the two picks from Por to get Wood in SnT).  It was evident that they couldn't go COMPLETELY centerless...  lol.  I think their offseason is ending with them actually feeling pretty good about themselves and their chances.  Taking a flyer on Boogie was pretty savvy.  Now we see if Harden is on board or not.  He is the motor that makes that team run.

[StepBackJay]

They got 2 picks for RoCo so it is like Wood and 2 picks. I love RoCo but I also think they needed to have some picks in their arsenal for future moves. It made sense to cash in on RoCo now to get those assets and then you effectively replaced with Wood (altho they could have kept RoCo and still acquired Wood). With Tucker there 1 more year that's good enough for now.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

Oh man, Wall and Harden together, aren't they both most famous for partying?

Biggest winners in this trade are the Houston strip clubs.

https://www.tmz.com/2015/12/14/john-wall...lub-video/