The Rockets are open to a trade in which Russell Westbrook could return to the team, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
According to Stein, the Lakers could trade Westbrook for Rockets guard John Wall, who has yet to play this season due to a disagreement with his role.
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Westbrook trade rumors have increased due to the Lakers’ poor start to the 2023-22 season. Initially seen as a third star to complement Los Angeles superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook’s experiment with the Lakers hasn’t worked out, particularly due to his poor shooting and discomfort with the team.
The Lakers are currently 22-23, good for the eighth-best record in the Western Conference.
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It’s unclear how much Wall would benefit Los Angeles in a potential trade. He has only played 113 games the past four seasons and is in the midst of a massive contract, earning $44.3 million this season and $47.4 million next.
Wall is also a below-average 3-point shooter, shooting just 32.3 percent of his attempts throughout his career. The Lakers benefited greatly from having shooters surround James and Davis during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, when they won the NBA championship and were the favorites 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 are more details on the potential exchange.
John Wall and Russell Westbrook contract details
According to Spotrac, Wall is in the midst of a massive contract, earning $44,310,840 this season and $47,366,760 next. He has a player option for 2023 on the deal before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-23 season.
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Westbrook signed a five-year, $206,794,070 deal with the Thunder before the 2018-19 season and is making $44,211,146 this year. He also has a player option for 2023 and will earn $47,063,478 in 2023-23.
Trading history of John Wall and Russell Westbrook
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 game, his fourth season averaging a triple-double in his career. race.
Wall played just 40 games for the Rockets in 2020-21, averaging 20.6 points with 6.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
When is the NBA trade deadline?
The 2023 NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 10.
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