The Russell Westbrook trade out of Oklahoma City may have been in the works for longer than many knew, but it’s still tough to say goodbye when it finally happens. For Westbrook, who’s played his entire career in OKC, leaving the city in a trade to the Houston Rockets may be less unexpected than those around the NBA initially felt, but it’s still tough.
When Paul George’s trade made it clear that the Thunder were rebuilding it seemed likely that Westbrook, too, would be moved. And his trade for Chris Paul on Thursday night made it clear: the Thunder are moving on, and fans will now have to do the same.
On Friday, Westbrook finally broke his digital silence about the trade, posting a picture of him in a Thunder jersey on Instagram and including a lengthy caption that tried to put into words the emotions the trade and his departure from OKC brought him.
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“I’m leaving Oklahoma with so many friends and so much gratitude,” Westbrook wrote in part. “I could never thank you all enough for sticking with me. It’s been a dream and a whirlwind.”
Westbrook had a number of charitable efforts in Oklahoma City that grew as his life did with the Thunder, and his affection for those working for the Thunder and the team’s fans is well-documented. Even as he hosted an event in Oklahoma when he was traded, Westbrook addressed the crowd and thanked them, taking pictures with everyone and saying goodbye in person to a fanbase that held him in high regard for years.
There are always people who harbor ill will when a player is traded, but in Westbrook’s case it seems fans are appreciative of what he’s done for the franchise and that they’ll have to move on without him. After this post, that feeling certainly seems mutual.
