There’s an adage that if you keep doing the same ol’ things, you’ll keep getting the same ol’ results.

The Washington Wizards, stuck in mediocrity for years, took this to heart and decided to shake up things in the nation’s capital.

In one of the NBA’s all-time blockbuster trades, Washington traded the brilliant but oft-injured John Wall to the Houston Rockets for the dynamic and healthier Russell Westbrook.

Houston also is sending Washington a 2023 draft choice as part of the swap.

“I felt it was my responsibility for the Wizards to get better and to acquire a player the caliber of Russell Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star,” Washington General Manager Tommy Sheppard told ESPN.

“With Russell, I think we’ll hit our stride a little quicker.”

The 6-foot-3 Westbrook, with dazzling athleticism, averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists in 57 games for the Rockets last season.

For his career, the 32-year-old has averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.1 assists.

While not an especially accurate outside shooter, Westbrook has few equals in attacking the rim for dunks and dishes.

Westbrook is second on the all-time list for triple-doubles (generally meaning points, rebounds and assists) with 146, trailing only Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, who compiled 181 triple-doubles between 1960 and 1974.

When Westbrook was with Oklahoma City, the former UCLAAll-American averaged a triple double three seasons running — from 2016 to 2018 — and was league MVP in 2017.

The Wizards made the play-offs four times in Wall’s 10 seasons, but never advanced past the second round.

Wall, Washington’s top draft pick in 2010 out of the University of Kentucky, was nearly as outstanding for the Wizards until being bitten badly of late by the injury bug.

The 30-year-old Wall, while beloved in D.C. for his talents, generosity and community service, has not played since December 2018 because of a variety of ailments, most recently a torn Achilles tendon.

Training camp reports indicate he was looking sharp in practice, however. He should be ready to start the season with the Houston Rockets.

In Washington, Westbrook will join a backcourt already with a marquee performer, shooting guard Bradley Beal. Only Houston’s James Harden (34.3) topped Beal (30.5) in scoring average this past season.

Harden and Westbrook are childhood friends, but they didn’t gel particularly well in their one season together with the Rockets. Houston was eliminated in the NBA Western Division semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Keeping Beal happy was likely a key factor in the trade.

“It was definitely kind of shocking and crazy seeing the news the other day,” Beal said in speaking to ESPN. “But you understand it’s the business of basketball. It was a tough pill for me to swallow, but on the flip side, you look at it and see who we are bringing in. Russ is a walking triple double. He is going to bring a spark to our team and an energy to our city.”

While Westbrook prefers dribble-driving to the hoop, collapsing defenses, Beal is just as comfortable unloading from the perimeter. He has a career .380 percentage from beyond the arc and figures to get plenty of feeds and open looks, courtesy of Westbrook.

Under Coach Scott Brooks, Washington was 25-47 this past season and failed to make the playoffs. The team was 32-50 in 2018-19.

Acquiring Westbrook, despite his phenomenal talents, doesn’t mean Washington will contend for the NBA title.

But when a franchise seems to be making little headway down the same familiar strip, it may be the best idea to shift gears.