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Last week, Ben Mehic wrote that it would not be crazy for the Washington Wizards to consider making a move for Houston Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook.
Ben wasn’t wrong. In fact, he’s .... right.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Wizards have discussed a deal that would send Westbrook to Washington in exchange for John Wall.
The Rockets and Wizards have discussed a deal centered on Russell Westbrook for John Wall, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. No traction yet, Rockets are seeking more assets.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2020
While a one-for-one swap is feasible given that both players are on supermax contracts paying them over $40 million each next season, the Rockets would want more than just Wall in a trade, which Charania noted.
Wall is coming back from an Achilles injury and hasn’t played in nearly two calendar years. Perhaps the Wizards’ No. 9 overall draft pick in the 2020 Draft, which is tomorrow, could be a sweetener in such a deal. But even then, I’d think Houston would want more than Wall, even if Westbrook is rumored to want out of Houston. Still, Westbrook’s demand should help the Wizards get some leverage in a trade.
Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game for Houston last season. Before coming to Houston, he averaged a triple-double (points, assists, rebounds) for three consecutive seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder from the 2016-17 through 2018-19 after Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors. He was also the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in the 2016-17 season.
Let us know your thoughts on a potential Wall for Westbrook trade in the comments below.