Washington Wizards: Did the Wizards win the Russell Westbrook trade?

Is it too early to suggest that the Washington Wizards won the Russell Westbrook trade? 

When the Washington Wizards traded Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason, the overwhelming thought was that the former had decided to take a step back and perhaps completely restart a rebuild.

However, roughly a month into the 2021-22 NBA season, perhaps we’re beginning to see the vision that the Wizards’ front office had all along.

Through the first 11 games of the season, the Wizards are 8-3 and are sitting alone atop the Eastern Conference standings – a sight that not many, if any, expected to see at any point this season, much less a month into the campaign.

Nevertheless, the Wizards have impressed and haven’t slowed down. They continue to prove that they have staying power and that they plan on being a threat in the East this season. I don’t believe anyone thinks that the Wizards can win an NBA Championship this season – and while they have been impressive to start the season, they’re not there yet – but there’s no question this team has the talent to perhaps finish in the top 5 of the conference.

And a big reason why is because of that “throwaway” trade that the Wizards made just before the official start of the season.

The official trade sent Russell Westbrook and two second-round picks to the Lakers in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

In exchange for Russ, the Wizards have gotten two full-time starters and one part-time starter that are averaging a combined 42 points, 22 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on quality shooting numbers.

The addition of Kuzma, Harrell, and KCP has been essential for the Wizards and their hot start to the season – especially as they’ve had to start the season without Rui Hachimura. They’ve been a strong supporting cast for Bradley Beal and have taken a large amount of the offensive pressure off of him.

They’re also much better fits on the team in comparison to Westbrook. Neither of these players necessarily need to be ball-dominant and Beal is able to find them as they help spread the floor for him to operate more freely.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about this Wizards team is that they’re not just doing this with an overwhelming offense. On the contrary, the Wizards have continued on this hot streak to start the season because of their top 5 defense.

It remains to be seen whether their defense is sustainable at this point, but you’d have to believe that they’re also not going to have a 17th ranked offense for the entire season. The talent on this team is just too good.

Either way, we’re seeing more and more evidence that this team could have some legit sticking power in the Eastern Conference.

It may be too early to call, but as Westbrook continues to struggle with his fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis the new Wizards trio looks like a perfect fit and one that could help change the outlook for the franchise.