James Harden and Russell Westbrook (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets could swoop in to the Russell Westbrook trade frenzy and reunite him with former OKC Thunder teammate James Harden.
Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors has started a trade frenzy involving now former teammate Russell Westbrook, who is entering the final year of his five-year $78.5 million contract with the Thunder. OKC has been reportedly keen on negotiating a contract extension with Westbrook, but the consensus around the league still tips the star point guard to leave the Thunder in the summer of 2017.
With Westbrook highly considered to spurn the Thunder, many believes Oklahoma City would consider exploring a trade, solely to get something in return rather than being left empty-handed. Westbrook won't be in short of suitors, but one intriguing trade scenario for the Thunder, according to Sporting News' Adi Joseph, is trading Westbrook to the Rockets, reuniting him with former backcourt mate James Harden.
"The Rockets would give everything to reunite Westbrook and James Harden, the backcourt duo that should have been, but they probably don't have enough," Joseph wrote.
Westbrook and Harden played three season together for the Thunder, with the latter coming off the bench while the former flourishes as OKC's second-best scorer. They helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 2012 before Harden decides to step out of the shadows of Westbrook and Durant by joining the Rockets.
Bringing in Westbrook, who averaged monster numbers for the Thunder last season with 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game, would give Harden a backcourt partner to terrorize and challenge any of the backcourt duos around the league. Westbrook has proven he can co-exist with another star, especially to someone he has already played with.
With Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon signing with the Rockets, Westbrook have all the supporting cast he needs to boost the Thunder into title contention. However, it would probably cost the Rockets too many key players for a trade to happen. Names like Trevor Ariza, Patrick Beverley and KJ McDaniels would probably be included in any potential deal, but surely won't be enough to entice the Thunder.
ESPN's trade machine approved a deal that would send McDaniels, Ariza and Corey Brewer to the Thunder for Westbrook, although the Thunder are expected to ask future draft picks for to help in their unexpectedly unfortunate rebuild.
There is no guarantee that the Thunder would trade Westbrook this offseason, but all indications point to an offseason move, especially with Westbrook unlikely to sign a contract extension of $26 million when the starting deal he could get next summer could around $30 million. Surely, the Rockets are among the teams ready to pounce at any chance to acquire Westbrook, but they must form a very enticing package to land one of the top point guards in the league.
