Sources: Rockets ‘lengthy shot’ to seize Westbrook
The Houston Rockets are among the many groups interested by buying and selling for Oklahoma Metropolis All-Star level guard Russell Westbrook, sources with data of the crew’s pondering advised ESPN.
One Rockets supply, nevertheless, described buying and selling for Westbrook as a “lengthy shot” because of the problem of discovering items that match with the Thunder or pulling off an advanced multiteam deal.
Within the aftermath of the commerce that despatched Paul George to the LA Clippers, Westbrook and his agent, Thad Foucher, engaged with Thunder normal supervisor Sam Presti in regards to the subsequent step of the purpose guard’s profession, together with the potential of a commerce earlier than subsequent season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
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Westbrook, 30, has spent his complete 11-year profession in Oklahoma Metropolis, however the franchise appears primed for a rebuilding interval after receiving a report haul of 5 future first-round picks and All-Rookie level guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander within the George deal. The Thunder additionally acquired ahead Danilo Gallinari within the commerce, however the veteran versatile scoring risk may very well be rerouted to a different crew.
The Athletic reported that the Miami Warmth and Detroit Pistons even have curiosity in Westbrook, who averaged 22.9 factors, 11.1 rebounds and 10.9 assists final season, marking the third consecutive marketing campaign he averaged a triple-double.
The curiosity in Westbrook matches Rockets normal supervisor Daryl Morey’s sample of aggressively pursuing superstars. Houston landed Chris Paul in a sign-and-trade cope with the Clippers two years in the past and tried so as to add Jimmy Butler beneath related circumstances this summer time. Butler, nevertheless, didn’t meet with the Rockets earlier than agreeing to a cope with the Miami Warmth. The Rockets additionally had curiosity in buying and selling for Carmelo Anthony and George earlier than the Thunder dealt for each through the 2017 offseason, and Houston signed Anthony for the veteran’s minimal after he was traded to Atlanta and acquired a buyout final summer time.
A supply stated that Paul wouldn’t essentially have to be concerned in a deal that delivers Westbrook to the Rockets, though his $38.5 million wage is an ideal match with Westbrook’s. Paul has $125 million over three years remaining on his contract, whereas Westbrook has $171 remaining over 4 years, together with a participant possibility for $46.7 million in 2022-23.
Morey has acknowledged aggressively exploring the commerce market this offseason however stated just lately that Paul and perennial All-NBA guard James Harden are the 2 gamers who will certainly return to the Rockets subsequent season.
Middle Clint Capela and capturing guard Eric Gordon particularly have been shopped and would have been traded to different groups to make room for Butler, in accordance with sources. Capela, 25, is coming off a season through which he averaged profession highs of 16.6 factors and 12.7 rebounds and is coming into the second 12 months of what’s thought-about a team-friendly five-year deal value $80 million plus incentives. Gordon is a confirmed scorer (16.2 factors per sport final season) and underrated defender who’s due $14.1 million subsequent season within the remaining 12 months of his contract.
As unlikely as it could be, a commerce that sends Westbrook to Houston would reunite him with Harden, his former Thunder teammate and fellow latest MVP. The Rockets acquired Harden, a sixth man in Oklahoma Metropolis, in a commerce simply earlier than the 2012-13 season after the Thunder determined they didn’t need to give him a most contract.
Westbrook received the MVP in an in depth vote over Harden in 2016-17, when the Thunder level guard averaged a league-leading 31.6 factors, 10.7 rebounds and 10.four assists, becoming a member of Oscar Robertson as the one gamers in NBA historical past to common a triple-double for a season. Harden has received the scoring title the previous two seasons and the MVP in 2017-18.
Tyson Chandler can also be a possible goal for the Rockets of their seek for backup large, a supply advised ESPN.
Chandler, who turns 37 in October, was an efficient defender and rebounder as a reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers final season. He has a popularity as a terrific locker room man and has a robust relationship with Paul from after they performed collectively in New Orleans.