RUSSELL Westbrook got his wish to be traded elsewhere after being shipped by Houston Rockets to Washington Wizards in exchange for guard John Wall on Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines).
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets will also receive a protected first round pick for 2023 from the Wizards as part of the blockbuster deal.
Houston’s general manager Rafael Stone and Washington’s GM Tommy Shepard first talked about the Westbrook-Wall trade last month but no agreement was reached until last Wednesday.
Westbrook requested last month to the Rockets’ management to be traded out due to his desire of his old role with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wall, for his part, also made the same trade request to the Wizards’ management after recovering from almost two years of inactivity due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Meanwhile, defending champion Los Angeles Lakers have locked in LeBron James after agreeing to a two-year, $85 million maximum contract extension.
Nicolas Batum, on the other hand, has signed with the Los Angeles Clippers after being released by Charlotte Hornets as part of the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade deal with Boston Celtics.
Batum is a welcome addition for the Clippers as he gives multi-position versatility on both ends of floor. LAC are also planning to sign free agent swingman Rayjon Tucker.
LiAngelo Ball, for his part, is signing a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Detroit Pistons.
LiAngelo is the brother of Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball (No. 2 overall pick in 2017) and Hornets No. 3 pick LaMelo Ball./PN
