I mean...if you think Westbrook was worth much more than that, then I guess so be it. But he wasn't, clearly, unless you would have rather attached picks just to get rid of him for free. I guess the other option would have been keeping a toxic player who doesn't help us win and who didn't want to be here anymore.
Sure. But Wall came out with a trade demand as well. And he caused a bigger stir with his front office because of that YouTube video. And my I can not emphasize this enough, he’s been injured and hasn’t played. I know what you’re saying, we were in a tough spot. But the fact remains you managed to trade Westbrook for an even worst contract, after trading what you (not you) thought was the worst contract in Paul for Russ a year ago. AD wanted out nearly a whole season before he was shipped. Did it hurt their return on the trade? Melo told New York send me to Houston or it’s nothing. Ended up in OKC. I’m never going to be convinced if Stone wasn’t such an amateur he couldn’t have leaked that they’re willing to send Russ to Washington if they included a half decent pick and if not he won’t send them his way, that Washington wouldn’t have folded and done that. Again, worst contract in the NBA, tension with Beal, caught throwing up gang signs on YouTube, and has...not...played...in two years!
I guess we’ll never know since Stone was all talk with his “we’re willing to get uncomfortable” then turns around and trades All NBA 3rd team for hasn’t played in two years on the same contract. To be clear my intent isn’t to fight with other posters, it’s the frustrations with this front office. If you put yourself in Washington’s shoes, you honestly don’t think you’re in an even more toxic situation with Wall? Stone seems to be buying too much into the media hype because on paper, on the court and just common sense says he got robbed.
Here's the thing...Is Westbrook better than Wall? Yes, in a vacuum he is. Does it matter, though? Were we winning with Westbrook? Is our window still open? No. The rebuild is coming, and to get a pick for Westbrook was nearly impossible, yet we did it. That's a win in my book. The only way you can be upset with this trade is if you believe keeping Westbrook was going to help us win a championship next season, which is obviously misguided because he is not a winning basketball player.
The rockets traded a known for an unknown. The known is that Westbrook and Wall is the unknown. Westbrook has proven it does not work with him. At least with Wall there there is some chance it could work. Westbrook is a nice marketing name and fun stat filler. He'll win you some games but over time he eventually be detrimental to your team.
literally amazing you still have these guys crying for nevermind all the flaws of westbrick, that's just obvious at this point to those who didn't know any better. But for someone who doesn't even want to be here. some of yall just get dumber and dumber and dumber by the day. You hate to see it.
I respect you’re being cordial. It’s appreciated. But that pick doesn’t do anything for a rebuild. So you may as well not execute the trade for now. If there is no way we were winning with Russ then there is no way we’re winning with Wall. And that logic really isn’t fair cuz either every team should feel that way but the Lakers or should try to give it a shot. We did enough changes to hope for something new, new coach, new starter (Wood), gamble on Boogie. Now get uncomfortable with Russ like you said you would until something decent comes back in return. Imagine we got Washington’s 2021 pick lottery protected. Now we can flip EG + Portland’s first rounder + Washington’s first rounder (both next year) for probably something rather useful or two decent players to add to the rotation. And if we can’t get that we wait; not fold and bring in the worst contract in the league.
The only difference there is the Warriors stars actually have value. Westbrook did not have value. I guess I could maybe understand the argument of keeping him for this season in hopes that he can play well and regain some value, but he didn't want to be here, and reportedly would have been toxic if he didn't get his trade request. I think that ship had probably sailed. The protections on the pick were a little weak, I agree. Should have pushed for better, but again, Westbrook just didn't have any value. They can at least use this pick for future trades potentially now.
Haha. I had edited the Warriors bit out to stay on the topic at hand but you were quick to respond (to be clear wasn’t backpedaling, just realized it wasn’t relevant). Yes. What I’m saying is we should have pushed and if it didn’t work then stand pat. This whole Westbrook wanted out and would have been toxic is a weak argument. Cuz it’s ditto for Wall. Doesn’t make it equal though. What kind of message is that sending to Harden if he truly wants out? If it’s uncomfortable we’ll just take anything out there? Sheesh if I was him may as well continue to push for Brooklyn. Stone obviously doesn’t play hardball
No, it's not "ditto for Wall", Wall REALLY wants to be here because being on an NBA team with his best friend Boogie is something he's wanted to do for half a decade or more and Westbrook wouldn't even show up to camp. Westbrook REALLY didn't want to be here because he didn't like having to share the ball with superior players, Wall REALLY wants to be here. That's about as far from "ditto" as it gets.
Westbrook asked for a trade. Wall asked for a trade. Ditto. And that’s about as ditto as it gets. Try again
Yeah but Wall asking for a trade was after he found out he was being pushed out by Beal and like I said, you're comparing a player who WANTS to play here to one who was refusing to play here, it's not the same situation. In fact it's the opposite situation. Wall is happy to be here, Westbrook wouldn't show up.
The difference here is teams know we wanted to get rid of Westbrook. Had no leverage. Teams know we don't want to get rid of Harden. Now have leverage.
Haha. No I’m not and am having to explain it again. I’m comparing the leverage for both sides. You’re an awful negotiator if you’re going in on the call and saying “well Wall wants to be here with us” instead of “Wall wants out of there”
I think Stone doesn't have a choice. I can only assume Tillman both wanted to compete this season while moving WB, which means "increasing the variance".
Again. It’s mainly about the pick. And I’ll believe Washington saying no to improving the pick initially, but I would stand my ground longer and not let the start of the season effect the value. We have Harden in his prime, a more valuable pick would go a long way. So Stone, pull up your pants and get uncomfortable. Washington basically got to add Westbrook to their team last year. Thats a win for them. I don’t care what anyone says, they are ecstatic about this trade. Beal wanted him. They lost no one from last year. They don’t run the risk of having a max contract not play due to a severe injury. And they’re in the East. Russ led OKC to the playoffs in the West. They know Russ will feast on playing Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit, New York, and Cleveland 4 times a year. Stone should know that Washington wants this too, and fkin negotiate better.
It'll be Interesting to see how many picks the rockets will need to attach to get rid of wall next season.
