The Russell Westbrook-John Wall trade isn’t seen as a major upgrade for neither team. Wall and Russ have very similar characteristics and styles of play but one exec believes there was a major reason for these teams to pull the trigger and make this move.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype talked with several people around the league and one anonymous GM explained why the Rockets prompted to make this move, something that created a lot of controversies around their fanbase.
“It’s a wash,” one Eastern Conference executive told HoopsHype. “Both teams needed to make a trade. Washington has to give up a pick because Wall has a bigger injury history and hasn’t played in two years. The contracts were the same. Russ should be really good in the East. Scotty (Brooks) should know how to use him. Washington will be better than they were since Russ is actually playing and Wall hasn’t been. I think Washington is for sure a playoff team.”
Moreover, another one said that Russ and his style of play slowed down James Harden last season, which led the Rockets to ship the All-Star point guard to Washington.
“Two of the worst contracts flipped for each other should tell you something,” one Western Conference general manager told HoopsHype. “Did you see Russ play last year? He slowed down (James) Harden. I feel bad for Beal.”
Now Russ has the chance to play alongside Bradley Beal but these two players have also a similar style of playing, something that could create problems for Scott Brooks and the Wizards. Well, time will tell how this situation develops, but while Wall can be a good addition to the Rockets, James Harden and DeMarcus Cousins, Westbrook isn’t perceived as the same in Washington.
