Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook reportedly wants to be traded after one season with the team, according to Shams Charania.
“Westbrook has informed team officials that he has been uneasy about the team’s accountability and culture, and has a desire to return to his prior, floor-general role in Oklahoma City,” according to The Athletic.
That escalated quickly.
It was recently reported that Westbrook and James Harden have expressed concerns about the uncertainty of the Rockets’ immediate future.
That report also stated that although no trade requests were made at that time, that scenario has become a “plausible eventual possibility” and it appears that possibility is now.
Harden on the other hand, remains committed to the Rockets and is “locked in” for the upcoming season, Charania also notes.
There have been rumors that the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers are interested in Westbrook.
However, finding a trade partner to take on Westbrook’s contract could be difficult.
The Rockets also unloaded several draft picks to acquire him last season, so they would be hard pressed to include additional assets in a potential trade.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old has $132 million left on his contract over the next three seasons including a $47 million player option for the 2022-2023 NBA season.
