|
The 32-year-old Westbrook, a nine-time All Star
point guard who spent the bulk of his career with the Oklahoma
City Thunder before being traded to Houston in 2019, averaged
27.2 points and 7.9 rebounds in the most recent season.
The Rockets had hoped Westbrook would help them to a first NBA
title since winning back-to-back championships in 1994-95 but
they were eliminated from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers
in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Westbrook will be reunited with Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who
was his coach for seven years in Oklahoma City.
"Russell's accomplishments and honors on the court speak for
themselves, but his drive and will to win are what separate him
as a truly unique player," said Brooks.
"As much as I'm looking forward to reuniting with him, I'm
equally sad to say good-bye to John. He is one of the toughest
and most gifted players I've ever been around and we all wish
him nothing but the best moving forward."
Wall has spent his entire nine-year career with the Wizards. The
30-year-old missed the 2019-20 campaign through injury and
played only 32 games the season prior.
The move comes amid widespread reports that 2018 MVP James
Harden, the league's leading scorer, was seeking a trade from
the Rockets after the departure of the team's head coach and
general manager.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery, Additional reporting by Hardik Vyas
in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
