The Houston Rockets are really closing in on an end of an era if they trade away James Harden and give up Russell Westbrook on a deal.
According to Kelly Iko and David Aldridge of The Athletic, there is more in the story than just both Westbrook and Harden asking for a trade.
In particular, the Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta is reportedly ‘hellbent on reducing the payroll’ and avoid the luxury tax (via CBS Sports).
The Rockets have not once paid the luxury tax under Fertitta. They have, in fact, taken a number of steps in the opposite direction to avoid it despite having a contending roster.
The Rockets made the Western Conference Finals once during this stint. After a disappointing ending to the season, the Rockets are at crossroads, as Harden and Westbrook seem ready to move.
Strangely the latest move for the Rockets was giving away Robert Covington’s deal for a cheaper one like the one Trevor Ariza has.
Ariza is an expiring contract next year, while Covington has two more years in his $46,879,127M he signed with the Sixers two seasons ago, per Sportrac.
