The transfer of star base Russell Westbrook, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, to the Rockets of Houston became official tonight by both teams.
Although it had been agreed since last week, Westbrook is now a teammate of guard James Harden, while the Thunder hosts veteran point guard Chris Paul, two future first-round elections (2024 and 2026) and the rights to two first-round exchanges. round (2021 and 2025).
Presti admitted that they never thought that Westbrook's figure could go so far as an NBA star.
Westbrook was originally selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the fourth number in the 2008 college draw, but never played there.
The team moved to Oklahoma City just a few weeks after Westbrook was selected and spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Thunder, which led to the NBA Finals in 2012 and won the Most Valuable Player award. (MVP) of the league in 2017.
Westbrook leaves as Oklahoma City's all-time leader in points (18,859), assists (6,897), rebounds (5,760) and steals (1,442).
He also made history in the NBA in the 2016-17 season, becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double. He broke Robertson's double-triple mark in a season with 42, and then averaged a triple-double in two more seasons.
Westbrook is tied for the second place of all time with Magic Johnson with 138 triple-doubles, second only to Robertson (181).
For its part, the Rockets through its official Twitter page, and in an official statement, the team's general manager, Daryl Morey, the creator of the transfer, also made the announcement of the signing of Westbrook, who will meet again with Harden, who already had a partner in the Thunder.