The Rockets are open to a trade in which Russell Westbrook could be brought back to the team, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
Per Stein, the Lakers could swap Westbrook for Rockets guard John Wall, who is yet to play this season while sitting out due to a disagreement with his role.
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Westbrook’s trade rumors have increased due to the Lakers’ poor start to the 2021-22 season. Initially viewed as a third star to complement Los Angeles superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook’s experiment with the Lakers has not worked, particularly due to his poor shooting and awkward fit with the team.
The Lakers are currently 22-23, good for the eighth-best record in the Western Conference.
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It is uncertain how much Wall would benefit Los Angeles in a potential trade. He has only played 113 games over the last four seasons and is in the midst of a massive contract, making $44.3 million this season and $47.4 million next.
Wall is also a below-average 3-point shooter, making just 32.3 percent of his attempts over his career. The Lakers benefited greatly when they had shooters surrounding James and Davis during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, when they won the NBA championship and were favored to do so before injury concerns.
Westbrook played for the Rockets during the 2019-20 season, averaging 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game.
Here’s more details on the potential trade.
John Wall and Russell Westbrook contract details
Per Spotrac, Wall is in the midst of a massive contract, making $44,310,840 this season and $47,366,760 next. He has a 2022 player option with the deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2022-23 season.
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Westbrook signed a five-year, $206,794,070 million contract with the Thunder before the 2018-19 season and is making $44,211,146 this year. He also has a 2022 player option and will make $47,063,478 in 2022-23.
John Wall and Russell Westbrook trade history
Wall played his first nine seasons with the Wizards before being traded to the Rockets for Westbrook on Dec. 2, 2020. The deal also included a first-round pick that went to the Rockets.
Westbrook went on to play 65 of 72 games for the Wizards during the 2020-21 season, averaging a career-best 36.4 minutes with 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds per contest, his fourth season averaging a triple-double in his career.
Wall played just 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21, averaging 20.6 points with 6.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per contest.
When is the NBA trade deadline?
The 2022 NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 10.
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