By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the aftermath of Russell Westbrook getting benched by Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel in the last four minutes of a loss to the Indiana Pacers, there have been rumblings that the team may be considering trading the former MVP and nine-time All-Star.
Other NBA clubs may not be that eager to give assets for Westbrook considering his salary (the Lakers are paying him around 44 million this season) and that he’s way past his prime. There is, however, one team that could be open to trading for Westbrook, under certain circumstances.
According to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein, this team is the Houston Rockets. Stein says that if the Rockets saw “sufficient” Draft picks being included in a potential deal then they would be open to discussing a trade that would also involve John Wall.
Per Stein:
“I, like many around the league, was previously under the impression that the Rockets would have less than zero interest in a Westbrook reunion after Houston traded Westbrook to Washington for John Wall in December 2020 shortly before the start of last season.
I’ve since learned that the Rockets – while indeed holding no interest in having Westbrook play for them again – actually would be amenable to another Westbrook-for-Wall swap if the Lakers incentivized the trade with sufficient draft compensation.”
Westbrook has been averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season for a Lakers team that has more losses (23) than wins (22). He has been criticized for his poor shooting (30.4 percent on 3-pointers) and lack of strong defensive output.