If you haven’t heard Russell Westbrook has been traded to the Houston Rockets, but before Westbrook leaves town, he hosted a comedy event in Tulsa Oklahoma Thursday night.
ESPN’s Andrian Wojnarowski broke the news earlier tonight that the Thunder will send Westbrook to Houston in exchanges for Chris Paul and picks.
According to Heavy’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, as news broke Westbrook took to the stage at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa to a standing ovation. Per Robinson, Westbrook was scheduled to talk to the media at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, but about ten minutes before Woj tweeted the details of the trade. Westbrook opted to skip the interview session and took the stage to introduce his childhood friend and comedian Demetrius Deason, who was co-hosting the event with Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook’s first comments since being traded to the Houston Rockets. pic.twitter.com/1XfgaalmkQ
— 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@ScoopB) July 12, 2019
The news of the Thunder will be trading Russell Westbrook comes a week after they traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. According to multiple reports Westbrook has been on the trading block for the past week, but reports suggested that he was headed to Miami. Instead, he will be headed to Houston to reunite with his former Thunder teammate James Harden.
Robinson asked Deason about the timing of the news, and Deason said it couldn’t have been ever.
“It’s dope,” he said. “If I could have picked that we dropped the news on any day, I think it would have been tonight. I think that’s what I would have wanted. The comedy gods were on my side tonight.”
Russell Westbrook’s best friend on the trade! pic.twitter.com/QA32ntxicK
— 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@ScoopB) July 12, 2019
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
