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Rockets acquire Russell Westbrook; Trade Chris Paul and draft picks

The Rockets pull off one of the biggest moves of the offseason.

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In an a wild turn of events, the Houston Rockets traded for guard Russell Westbrook on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Houston sent off Chris Paul, two first-round draft picks, and two pick swaps to the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for the 2017 MVP. Paul, in his second year with the Rockets, first of his four-year $150-million contract, played only 58 games with Houston in the 2018-2019 season after battling injuries.

The new was later confirmed by the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen.

Westbrook is in only the second year of his five-year, $206-million contract. The 30-year-old guard out of UCLA has led the league in assists each of the past two years, including averaging an unprecedented triple-double the last three years. He is set to make $38.5 million this season.