Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta believes the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade worked out for both Houston and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Rockets are 37-20 on the season, while the Thunder are a surprising 35-22:
“Everything worked out,” Fertitta told Kirk Bohls of The Austin American-Statesman. “I think Chris is having a great year at Oklahoma City. It worked out for both (teams). James and Russell came in the league at the same time, and they can talk to each other differently. One can say, ‘Screw you,’ and it’s no big deal. Chris was four years older. Four years in basketball is like a normal 10 to 15 years in business life.”
In his first season with the Rockets, Westbrook is averaging 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists. The former MVP is shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 24.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Paul, meanwhile, is flourishing with the Thunder. He made the All-Star team this season for the first time since 2016. The future Hall of Famer is putting up 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 56 games. Paul has been a great mentor to Thunder rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With Westbrook and James Harden leading the way, the Rockets have champion aspirations once the playoffs start. Meanwhile, Paul and the Thunder will be one of those feisty teams looking to pull off an upset in the postseason.
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