Rockets star point guard Russell Westbrook has been traded to the Washington Wizards after spending just one season in Houston.
Houston will receive fellow point guard John Wall and a first-round pick in exchange for Westbrook according to ESPN's NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
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Westbrook, 32, famously joined the Rockets last year after his former team, Oklahoma City Thunder, agreed to trade the nine-time NBA All-Star to Houston in exchange for fellow point guard Chris Paul, two protected first-round picks and other draft considerations.
The 2017 NBA MVP joined the Rockets having entered the second year of his giant five-year, $205 million (AUD$277M) supermax deal, which he had signed a year earlier as a member of the Thunder. He currently has three years and more than $132 (AUD$178M) million left on his contract to run.
It had been widely reported that Westbrook had asked to be traded, requesting a move to a club that would help him establish his old form and style again.
It was hoped Westbrook and fellow MVP James Harden, would form one of the better backcourt duos in the league but after they were knocked out by NBA champions the LA Lakers during this year's playoff series, Houston has now pulled the pin on its star-studded duo.
Despite the Rockets receiving a first-round pick in the trade, they won't receive any salary cap relief when Wall, who's a five-time NBA All-Star, lands in Houston while entering the second year a four-year, $171 million (AUD$231M) contract.
Wall also hasn't played in the NBA since the 2018-19 season following both a heel and Achilles tendon injury.
While the Wizards will receive a former MVP point guard to link-up with All-Star guard Bradley Beale in a move to remain competitive in the NBA's Eastern Conference, the plus side for the Rockets is they receive a heavily protected first-round pick.
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