The Rockets are open for a trade in which Russell Westbrook could be brought back to the team, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
According to Stein, the Lakers could trade Westbrook for Rockets keeper John Wall, who is yet to play this season while sidelined due to disagreements over his role.
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Rumors about Westbrook’s transfer have been increasing since the Lakers started the 2021-22 season poorly. Originally seen as a third star to complement Los Angeles superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Westbrook’s experiment with the Lakers didn’t work out, especially due to his poor shooting and inability to blend in. with the team.
The Lakers are currently 22-23, good for the eighth best record at the Western Conference.
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It is uncertain how much Wall will benefit Los Angeles in a potential deal. He’s played just 113 games over the past four seasons and is on a huge deal, earning $44.3 million this season and $47.4 million next.
Wall is also a 3-point below average shooter, making only 32.3% of his career tries. The Lakers benefit greatly as they have gunmen swarming around James and Davis in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, when they won the NBA championship and were favored to do so in light of 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 detail on the potential trade.
Contract details of John Wall and Russell Westbrook
According to Spotrac, Wall is in the middle of a big deal, earning $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 deal with the Thunder ahead of the 2018-19 season and is earning $44,211,146 this year. He also has a 2022 player option and will earn $47,063,478 in 2022-23.
Trade History of John Wall and Russell Westbrook
Wall played his first nine seasons with the Wizards before being transferred to the Rockets for Westbrook on December 2, 2020. The deal also includes a first pick for the Rockets.
Westbrook played 65 of 72 games for the Wizards in the 2020-21 season, averaging a career-best 36.4 minutes with 22.2 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds per game, season His fourth award is averaging a career double.
Wall played just 40 games for the Rockets between 2020-21, averaging 20.6 points with 6.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
When is the NBA transaction deadline?
The 2022 NBA trading deadline is Thursday, February 10.
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