Would this trade make sense for the Houston Rockets?
This trade would be great for the Houston Rockets, but not for any reason that would be reflected on the court. John Wall isn’t playing for them anyways, so getting extra picks for another guy who probably wouldn’t play for them would be ideal.
With where Houston is as a team, they have no interest in playing veterans. Their goal is to build around Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, and other young assets. Why would they give minutes to an aging point guard who has lost a step? That goes for both Wall and Westbrook.
So, with Wall not wanting to come off the bench, why not make a trade for Westbrook? It’s been widely reported that they would want the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick. If they got that, it would be an amazing deal for them in the long run, because who knows how good LA will be by then.
League sources have indicated Wall’s reluctance to entertain buyout negotiations. However, there’s some belief that if the Rockets traded for Westbrook, he might be. So in the end, the deal would help clear up some cap space in the future for Houston.
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That’s a massive win for a rebuilding team. It’s no wonder the Rockets are interested in this move. It would be nothing but good for them. They’d get off one massive contract, be able to potentially buy out Westbrook, and also get a first-round pick.
