If Westbrook wants to get out of Houston, where should he go?

There are still days until the NBA officially opens its transaction window (the number of which has not been confirmed, but may be two or three days before the draft on November 18), but with the looming shadow of the free agency finally approaching, rumors are fast and furious that the rain of draft-related Susurus, themselves Competitors looking to lift themselves up and unhappy stars.

Speaking of the latter, AthleticRussell Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and current partner of James Horden on the Houston Rockets, reported Shams Charania on Wednesday night. Want.

The Rockets have had a lot of turnover recently, most notably Daryl Mori (former team general manager) and Mike de Antony (former head coach of the team) leaving in a month, following another disappointing post- season, when Houston fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round in five games.

When Westbrook is dealing with racquets from the Oklahoma City Thunder for fellow star Chris Paul (as well as multiple future picks), it’s best to try and move as a lateral basketball move and a last attempt from Mori to compete for the title (Harden and Paul’s relationship deteriorates). Houston went all out on the super-small ball, away from center Clint Capella, and started a unit that had four and five games like PJ Tucker and Robert Covington.

Westbrook himself had an up-and-down season, eventually struggling to keep up with the analytical style of the Rockets, allowing him to bulldoze his way to the edge and beyond, before finally finding a slight groove with better spacing. Then, before entering the bubble in Orlando, he suffered with COVID-19 and, after recovering, spent time dealing with a quad injury sustained in the playoffs.

True, the Westbrook solo season in Houston may seem like a failure, but it’s not surprising. What brings the 32-year-old (he turns 33 on November 12) to the table is the ability to raise the team’s floor — his skills are adequate, he can do any group that is part of the competition any night. However, he is not a ceiling-riser, a player who leads to success and can include a competitor hoping to scoot them up.

For a true competitor, the trio can not shoot, the off-ball offense is not affected, and the subpar defender is, at best, or perhaps its second-best (as in Houston) player.

So, if Westbrook wanted and Rockets agreed to his trade request, what became of the destination?

Considering that Westbrook has a huge contract with him of $ 123 million over three years, the list looks very short, if anything is possible. The New York Knicks are immediately remembered as a team with cap space and always thirsty for star talent. The Charlotte Hornets, likewise, have space and a big deadline in Nicholas Button ($ 27 million). For these two teams, however, there is not much in the way of providing immediate assistance to the reported team Harden is committed to continuing to build a competitor around.

Detroit is a landing site that makes some sense. If the Pistons are ready to move on from Blake Griffin, a deal with Westbrook for someone makes some sense. Rockets receive a legitimate big man (actually if they want one), who, when healthy, is considerably positive on the ground. His .55.5.5 million contract expires a year earlier than Westbrook and saves Houston $ 8.4.8 million — a notable addition to the team that will pay the luxury tax next season.

Pistons are a good way to earn a floor elevator like Westbrook, as they have been desperate to reach the playoffs consistently over the past few years. In fact, the main reason behind the Griffin deal is the same. But the team has only been there once since he arrived, and it has been difficult to fill the new arena they entered in 2017.

Other rumors:

Sons looking to get CP3 from Thunder

Although no deal is imminent, Phoenix Sons and Oklahoma City Thunder are engaged Ongoing trade talks According to ESPN’s Brian Windhurst and Tim Bontemps, Paul is centered around.

Oklahoma City, who dealt with Paul George and Westbrook before last season, stunned a 44-28 record in 2019-20 and have yet to fully rebuild after taking the Rockets to seven. Games in the first round of the playoffs.

The Sons, who missed the post-season, went undefeated 8-0 inside the bubble, looking to make that next move and clearly hope Paul can answer to complete and guide their young core, including junior superstar Devin Booker.

Hawks interest on Zhro Holiday

The Atlanta Hawks put themselves at the forefront Potential landing spot According to, New Orleans Pelicans guard for Zhro Holiday The New York Times‘Mark Stein.

A contract would include Atlanta’s 6th option in the draft and include multiple teams. Holiday is widely expected to reject its 27 million-player option for 2021-22 and enter the unrestricted free agency.

However, the Hawks, who set a deadly 20-47 record last season, and the 22-year-old star Trey Young will certainly be amazed at their ability to pair up with the dynamic two-way wing, which may be open to taking this opportunity.

Wood wolves looking to hit the second lottery pick

Information that the Minnesota Timberwolves are watching Earn a second lottery pick, The Ringers Kevin O’Connor.

One of the teams they spoke to clearly had the Hawks, the No. 6 pick. To make that happen, the potential deal of Jarrett Culver and No. 17 pick will be in the game. According to O’Connor, the Minnesota FSU wing is interested in going up to target Patrick Williams or Iowa State Guard Tyrese Halliburton.

The ball in Lamelo is steaming as a potential No. 1 pick

The NBA draft is November 18, and there is still no consensus on who will take the No. 1 spot in the Timber‌wolves (assuming they keep their pick). Noise is rising around the ball, however, as ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givoni, 19, is actually a Private exercise With Timberwolves on Wednesday, there he “shot the ball well.”