Rockets: Russell Westbrook reportedly wants out of Houston

After just one season with the Rockets, star point guard Russell Westbrook wants out of Houston

Since their elimination at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, there has been plenty of turnover in the Houston Rockets organization. Head coach Mike D’Antoni parted ways with the Rockets, while Daryl Morey stepped down as general manager. Those two departures reportedly had stars James Harden and Russell Westbrook concerned about the direction of the team. Now, one of them wants out.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Westbrook wants out of Houston, one year after the team acquired him in that blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Westbrook will likely demand a trade, Charania and Kelly Iko of The Athletic report that Harden is “locked in” for next season with the Rockets.

Westbrook’s one year stint in Houston was anti-climactic

This offseason, the Rockets kept Harden and Westbrook in the loop for their coaching search and both gave the thumbs up at the hiring of former Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Stephen Silas, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. Rafael Stone was promoted to Morey’s position. After the two hirings became official, both stars felt pessimistic about the team’s championship window remaining open for an extended period of time.

Last offseason, the Rockets were looking to create a superstar duo to contend with the Los Angeles Lakers (LeBron James and Anthony Davis) and Clippers (Kawhi Leonard and Paul George). So, the Rockets acquired Westbrook in exchange for guard Chris Paul, first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, and first-round pick swaps in 2021 and 2025.

This season, Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 35.9 minutes in 57 games, while shooting 47.2-percent from the field. Westbrook was named to the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Third Team.

Trading Westbrook could be quite the challenge for the Rockets, as the guard still has $131.5 million owed to him over the next three years. Additionally, Westbrook has a $46.7 million player option for the 2022-23 season. Even with the high cost, there will be teams itching to land Westbrook, especially those hoping to either make the playoffs, or put them over the edge as championship contenders.

As for Harden, he’s not going anywhere, but the organization will have to go back to the drawing board to help take the Rockets to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1995.