Following his recent trade request, the Houston Rockets are exploring transactions involving All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, according to multiple media reports. But with three years and up to $132 million left on his contract, the market could be prohibitive to a deal in 2020.
“The Rockets have been actively searching for trade partners for Westbrook, but that marketplace is proving relatively barren,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe, and Ramona Shelburne reported Sunday, citing sources. The NBA is set to lift its trade moratorium on Monday.
Houston has limited incentive to consider making its team worse for the 2020-21 season, since Oklahoma City has the right to swap picks with them (from the Westbrook-Chris Paul trade) in the first round of the 2021 draft. Thus, barring a strong offer, it could make sense for the Rockets to delay any rebuilding-type deals until prior to the 2021-22 season, when they have full control of their draft picks over the ensuing two years.
By waiting until next offseason, Westbrook’s contract might also be less of a deterrent to other teams, since it would be one year plus a player option — rather than two years and the option, as it is today.
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"The Rockets have been actively searching for trade partners for guard Russell Westbrook, but that marketplace is proving relatively barren, sources said." https://t.co/ha2fE5B74u
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 15, 2020
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