Russell Westbrook Trade Rumors: Rockets 'Likelier' to Move PG After Morey Exit

The Houston Rockets could be heading in a new direction in the wake of general manager Daryl Morey's departure. 

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Rockets are now "likelier" to explore Russell Westbrook trade options. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Morey was stepping down from his position after 13 seasons but will "remain in an advisory role for a short period" as Houston continues to search for a new head coach. 

Morey's departure is the second significant move for Houston this offseason. Mike D'Antoni announced last month he wouldn't sign a new contract and would leave his post as head coach.

Trading Westbrook could be difficult because of his deal. The 31-year-old is owed $85.6 million over the next two seasons and has a $47.1 million player option for 2022-23. 

The Rockets acquired Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2019 for Chris Paul, first-round draft picks in 2024 and 2026 and the right to swap first-rounders in 2021 and 2025. 

After some initial bumps in the road, the pairing of Westbrook and James Harden took off. Westbrook averaged 30.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists with a 49.7 field-goal percentage over the final 34 games of the regular season. 

Things didn't work as well for Westbrook in the playoffs. He missed the Rockets' first four games against the Thunder with a quad injury. The 2016-17 NBA MVP only averaged 17.9 points and shot 42.1 percent from the field in eight games against Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers.