On Wednesday, the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards made a blockbuster trade, swapping Russell Westbrook for John Wall and a protected, 2023 first-round pick.
The move comes at a transition period for the Rockets, who have been through some rather interesting times in the organization — the departures of head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey, the hires of coach Stephen Silas and new GM Rafael Stone, and the discontent of James Harden and Westbrook.
For the Wizards, it’s an unfortunately abrupt ending to a decade-long relationship with Wall, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since December 2018, when he had bone spurs removed from his left heel. He ruptured his Achilles one month later. Today, he’s finally healthy — just in time to find a new home.
So, why did the Rockets press eject on the one-year Westbrook experiment after such a wild season? Why are the Wizards ready to move on from Wall? How will…
