Russell Westbrook’s struggles during this season are very well documented at this point. The point guard’s poor performances have seen him fall very short of expectations in Los Angeles, and rumors about a potential trade have been circulating for a while now. While it’s unlikely that Westbrook will be moved on already, one scenario has seemed more plausible than the rest, according to NBA insiders.
A trade between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers that would see John Wall join LA in the process seems like the only realistic chance that the Lakers will be able to get Westbrook off the books. And NBCS Washington’s Chase Hughes has now explained what could happen if Westbrook does end up returning to the Rockets in a trade.
A scenario told to me from someone whose identity I will protect: Lakers trade Westbrook for Wall, Rockets buy Russ out, Russ signs w/ Wizards.
Their reasoning: Beal/Rui/Gaff were good w/ Russ, Wiz had better win% last year. It's wild but I made a Photoshop to help visualize it. pic.twitter.com/j0kxcHkTmq
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) February 7, 2022
“A scenario told to me from someone whose identity I will protect: Lakers trade Westbrook for Wall, Rockets buy Russ out, Russ signs w/ Wizards.
“Their reasoning: Beal/Rui/Gaff were good w/ Russ, Wiz had better win% last year.”
Hughes went on to explain why the source was a good one, justifying the claims that he has made, even if they may seem a little outlandish to some.
That’s when you know the takes are spicy, when they are requested to remain anonymous
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) February 7, 2022
“I’m not kidding, either, about someone actually telling me that and saying don’t put their name on it lol. That’s when you know the takes are spicy, when they are requested to remain anonymous.”
Westbrook has an excellent relationship with both the Rockets and the Wizards, so this is not completely out of the question as a possibility that the player’s camp can explore. The Rockets would be able to get off of Wall’s contract while the Wizards could regain Westbrook after already having acquired assets like Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the initial trade. For Russ, it would be a chance to get away from the negativity to a team where he averaged over 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists last season.
