Russell Westbrook Trade Rumors: Market Is 'Relatively Barren' for Rockets PG

The Houston Rockets may be willing to deal point guard Russell Westbrook this offseason, but it doesn't sound as though the rest of the NBA is interested.   

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Ramona Shelburne and Zach Lowe of ESPN, "The Rockets have been actively searching for trade partners for Westbrook, but that marketplace is proving relatively barren, sources said. Westbrook, 32, has three years and $131.5 million left on his contract—including a $46.7 million player option in 2022-23."

Westbrook's huge contract makes him tough to move. It also doesn't help that he's on the back end of his prime at 32, is continuing to decline as a shooter (25.8 percent from three in 2019-20) in a league that increasingly emphasizes floor spacing and isn't a gamechanger on defense.

Yes, he puts up counting stats. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists with Houston after averaging triple-doubles in three consecutive seasons before he was traded to the Rockets last offseason.  

Few players are more dangerous attacking the rim than Westbrook, whose speed and athleticism make him difficult to contain. But it's fair to question if his strengths outweigh his weaknesses at this point. 

What is more obvious is that the one-year Westbrook and James Harden experiment seems likely to be ending this offseason. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported last week that Westbrook "wants out of Houston." 

Charania then reported that Harden was "locked in" for the 2020-21 season and remained committed to Houston. However, Woj, Shelburne and Lowe reported that the Brooklyn Nets were "rising to the top of his list as a possible trade destination" and that the idea of playing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving "is resonating with Harden."

It would appear one way or another that the Rockets will be at the center of a potentially fascinating offseason. The team would likely prefer to keep Harden, though if he goes on the market, he'll have plenty of suitors. It appears unlikely that Westbrook will be as popular in prospective trades.