Two days before the agreement that brought Russell Westbrook to Houston was completed, Rockets GM Daryl Morey was pessimistic that it would get done, Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle writes in a retrospective of the deal. Feigen traces the steps that led to the Rockets’ latest high-stakes gamble and the Thunder’s decision to part with their franchise player.
Everything began late on July 5 when Kawhi Leonard announced he was joining the Clippers, followed by the news that Oklahoma City was trading Paul George there as well. Morey sent text messages to owner Tilman Fertitta and his son Patrick suggesting that a huge shakeup could be in the works in OKC. Other team officials were included in the discussion the next morning, then Morey talked to James Harden, who had already spoken to Westbrook.
“The discussion at that point among the basketball staff was, ‘Hey, we need to check in and see if this changes the direction.’ I guess there was a thought they might trade other guys like Russell,” Morey said. “You never know. At this point, it was pretty unknown.”
Morey placed a call to Thunder GM Sam Presti, but their early discussions remained general. They spoke frequently over the next few days as international prospects and other players were considered in a deal that eventually became Westbrook for Chris Paul and draft picks. Morey alerted Paul and his representatives that a potential trade was brewing. He also tried unsuccessfully to get a third team involved, although he wouldn’t reveal who he talked to.
“It didn’t seem that there would be a fit for both parties,” Morey said. “I told them (Tilman and Patrick Fertitta) quite a bit that it wasn’t going to happen because that’s what I believed. I didn’t think the pieces lined up. That’s why a three-team deal made sense. And I thought other teams would be more involved than we were; teams that had more fits.”
A day before the deal was completed, Presti expressed a preference for a two-team trade that was heavy on draft picks. The Thunder wound up with Houston’s top-four-protected selections in 2024 and 2026, along with two pick swaps that include top-four protection in 2021 and and top-10 protection in 2025. Once an agreement was reached, Morey tried to expand the deal by involving other teams, but he found interest was low. He said the hardest part was having to tell Paul that their partnership was over after two seasons.
“I hated that call,” Morey said. “I’m sure he hated it more. He’s been such a great player for us. We were moments away from winning a title with him.”
“Moments away” from a title? Didn’t even see the finals in those 2 years…
Hope they like bricks in H-town.
Rockets are delusional in all things.
You are delusional!
He’s right. If cp3 didn’t do his hammy they win the lot that year.
Rockets didn’t think it was possible.. Thunder didn’t think it was possible… both teams will regret that trade. 2 mid to late 1st rounders and two swaps that will never ve used with a player that they can’t trade and doesn’t want to be there. Instead, they could of had a possible future 10 years+ starter, expiring contracts and probably another one of those 1st rounders… not sure what they were thinking here, keeps them in cap hell without a roster (OKC). Good luck to all.
Such a BS narrative. There’s no guarantee they would have gotten past Golden State, let alone win the finals. Injuries are part of the game, they happen to every team. All this crying from seemingly mostly Houston fans about how they would’ve won if CP stayed healthy is purely hypothetical, and beyond ridiculous. How did they do against G State this year, when CP was healthy?? and Golden State was not. Could’ve would’ve should’ves, but in the end you didn’t, and that’s that. Tired of hearing about it. And no one outside of Houston cares.
Rockets didn’t think it was possible.. Thunder didn’t think it was possible… both teams will regret that trade. 2 mid to late 1st rounders and two swaps that will never ve used with a player that they can’t trade and doesn’t want to be there. Instead, they could of had a possible future 10 years+ starter, expiring contracts and probably another one of those 1st rounders… not sure what they were thinking here, keeps them in cap hell without a roster (OKC). Good luck to all.
Rockets will never win a chip with James Harden as their main guy. It just won’t happen.
Agreed.
Rockets will lead the league in scoring. Coach DAn will be fired. They have solid roster. Will be good entertainment.
As fun and Westbrick and Harden will be to watch this year, it won’t translate to winning anything of significance (the LO’B). As a commenter mentioned before me, you simply cannot win a chip with James ‘ISO’ Harden as your best player. Cannot and will not happen.
All the people all wound up about how bad the Rockets are gonna be just means all sorts of people are worried they’re gonna be good.