Russell Westbrook trade rumors: John Wall has reportedly been discussed by Rockets, Wizards

Russell Westbrook and John Wall are each owed about $132 million over the subsequent three seasons. They each play level guard. So far as it goes for the Rockets discovering a purchaser for Westbrook on the commerce market, that is about as shut as issues have reportedly gotten.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Houston and the Wizards have had discussions a couple of deal centering round Westbrook and Wall. Charania added that there is been “no traction but,” and that the Rockets are searching for extra in return. 

MORE: Keeping track of the Russell Westbrook trade rumors

Westbrook, 32, has been concerned in commerce rumors for a couple of week after stories emerged that the purpose guard needed out of Houston. He is acquired three years and $132.6 milion remaining on his contract (together with a 2022-23 participant choice). Westbrook is coming off one other outstanding statistical season, averaging 27.2 factors, 7.9 rebounds and seven.zero assists per sport, however his incapacity to completely gel with James Harden or shoot from the surface made his lone 12 months with the Rockets much less fruitful than Houston might have hoped for.

Wall, 30, owed $132.9 million for the subsequent three seasons (together with a 2022-23 participant choice), hasn’t performed for the Wizards since Dec. 26, 2018. He ruptured his Achilles tendon that day and did not return the rest of that season or in any respect through the 2019-20 marketing campaign. Wall was averaging 20.7 factors and eight.7 assists per sport in 2018-19 earlier than the damage, nevertheless it’s unclear what the long-term implications are on some extent guard who depends upon velocity like Wall after such a severe damage.

Whereas Charania has reported that Houston needs extra again in a deal for Westbrook, it is potential that the Rockets haven’t got lots of leverage to deal as a result of the entire league has heard about his reported need to depart city. The deal traces up completely beneath the NBA’s commerce guidelines as is, as a result of the important thing element of matching incoming and outgoing salaries is roofed by Wall and Westbrook’s contracts. 

Houston has already begun to reshape its roster, sending away wing Robert Covington to Portland late Monday. It is also been reported that James Harden is considering each Brooklyn and Philadelphia as desired spots to wind up in a commerce. The Rockets have already seen a shift of their energy positions this offseason, with Mike D’Antoni gone as head coach and GM Daryl Morey off to the 76ers, with Stephen Silas and Rafael Stone entering into these positions, respectively.