A year after Chris Paul / Russell Westbrook’s trade decline, returns look good for both the short and long-term Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Bleacher Report has put together its list of the NBA’s top 100 players this season, and the site felt that the current Thunder point guard was top this year.
Paul finished 13th in the ranking. Westbrook arrived at no. 22.
While Paul’s numbers of 17.7 points and 6.8 assists per game aren’t astounding, his impact on the team has been evident. Paul was dynamic in the clutch, effective from the field – 60.% real shot and 53% from the middle range – and he played late in the minutes of the All-Star game, which has no impact on the rankings but shows how the other players and coaches perceive it.
Westbrook’s first half of the season ruined his overall rankings, where his shot rates were historically bad. But since the Houston Rockets embraced the super-small ball and traded Clint Capela, Westbrook was the best ever – and perhaps the best he has ever been, averaging 31.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5 , 9 assists 53% of the shooting from the field and 35% from in depth since the last game of Capela on the Rockets.
While Paul helped the Thunder stay competitive during the transition, Westbrook was an important part for the Rockets by keeping an eye on a title chase.
The Thunder received draft picks and Paul, while the Rockets were able to restore the relationship between their two stars and remain competitive. Paul’s relationship with Rockets star James Harden was reported to be “insurmountable” during the final summer in which they were teammates, although Harden later said it had been disproportionate.
It is not inconceivable to say that it is a trade won by both sides.
This is something that will not be clear for another decade, when Thunder will see exactly what choices they have received.
But in the meantime, both teams can be happy with their pieces and the current situation.
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