Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook Trade Haunts Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets' rebuild phase has long ended and is no longer discussed. However, the team still holds valuable draft picks, largely due to the James Harden trade with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. These picks have become the Phoenix Suns' first-round selections for 2027 and 2029.
The Rockets' 2026 first-round pick, however, is set to go to the Oklahoma City Thunder unless it ranks in the top four, which would indicate a very disappointing season for Houston. This obligation originates from the 2019 trade that sent Chris Paul to the Thunder along with the 2024 and 2026 first-round picks, plus pick swaps in 2021 and 2025.
Houston only received one season of Russell Westbrook’s play, while Paul’s Thunder team finished with the same 44-28 record. Both teams met in the playoffs, resulting in a grueling seven-game series.
"In July 2019, the Rockets were clinging to fading hopes of making a championship run with James Harden and tried this deal out of desperation. It effectively flatlined those dreams for good and shifted everything for the franchise. Westbrook was always a strange choice to slot alongside Harden."
Bleacher Report identified this trade as a burden that continues to affect the Rockets in 2025.
Author’s summary: The 2019 Chris Paul-Westbrook trade remains a painful turning point, costing the Rockets key draft picks and marking the end of their championship aspirations.