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The Russell Westbrook era in Houston appears it could be coming to a close. After the Rockets parted ways with general manager Daryl Morey, who immediately got a new gig in Philadelphia, and with (more than usual) reports of turmoil in Houston, there seemed to be something brewing.
Folks, that something is here.
With $132.63 million remaining on his current deal, Westbrook has… sorry, let’s backtrack here. That’s worth repeating.
Over the next three years (pending the math on the NBA’s COVID-19 related adjustments), Westbrook will make $132.63 million. That is $41,358,814 next year, $44,211,146 in 2021 and $47,063,478 in 2022 if (laughs, cries) he picks up his player option. In 2022, Patrick Mahomes makes $31.45 million.
Those numbers are real. But then again, is anything real?
Apparently Westbrook requesting a trade is real, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Rockets’ Russell Westbrook wants out of Houston, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2020
According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, both the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks (because of course they do) are interested in Westbrook. Surely, Westbrook will be the one to turn around the universally respected, not-at-all-a-joke Knicks franchise.
Great reporting here by Tim and Woj. Adds detail to my report yesterday that teams believe Russell Westbrook can be had from the Rockets. They note a trade request is a “plausible eventual possibility.” The Knicks and Clippers do have interest in trading for Russ, my sources say. https://t.co/cDuTwx2E7p
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 11, 2020
Harden, though, wants to stay.
Houston's James Harden remains committed to the Rockets and is "locked in" for the season, sources tell @KellyIkoNBA and me.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2020