Just over a year ago, the Houston Rockets traded Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a future protected first-round draft pick. A year later, Houston is looking to do the reverse, flipping Wall for Westbrook and “significant draft compensation,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Westbrook spent last season with Wizards playing alongside Bradley Beal. However after one season and the dismissal of Scott Brooks, Westbrook wanted out of Washington. He ultimately got his wish. Washington traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Westbrook, who sought an opportunity to play in his hometown of Los Angeles, created a dream trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, his homecoming has been nightmarish on the court.
The Lakers are 23-23 and seventh in the Western Conference which currently puts them back in the play-in tournament. Davis is injured and while James is thriving, Westbrook has become the scapegoat of the Lakers’ disappointing season.
Westbrook is not a fit for the current structure of the Lakers. Now the team appears to be looking to shake things up.
Meanwhile, Wall cannot get out of Houston fast enough. He played in 40 games last season, his first after sitting out two years with a torn Achilles. Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists.
But the Rockets changed course of their direction. Houston got younger, highlighted by No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green. With the Rockets in a rebuild, they have sat Wall out this season while the two sides have tried to find a trade.
Wall and the Rockets can’t agree on a buyout. But, Wall being owed nearly $91.7 million over this season and next makes it nearly impossible to find a trade suitor.
Westbrook is in a similar situation. He is owed nearly $91.3 million over the course of two years.
It’s only natural the two are swapped again in a trade. This time Wall could bring a bit more of value that warrants draft picks for the Rockets. While they’re open to taking on Westbrook, the Rockets have no intentions of him playing for them.
Wall shares the same agent as James, Rich Paul.
Westbrook has been traded each of the previous three seasons. A trade this year would make it four in row for the 2017 NBA MVP.
