On January 25, Beijing time, New York Post reporter Mark Stein reported that if Russell Westbrook and John Wall exchange owners, the Rockets are expected to buy out Westbrook soon. (Westbrook is making $44.21 million this season, $47.06 million next season.)
Mark Stein has previously revealed that the Houston Rockets are the only team in the league willing to take over Westbrook's contract, as wall has two seasons left on his team (44.31 million and 47.36 million).
Rockets reporter Kelly Iko then confirmed the rumor that the Rockets are indeed willing to take over Westbrook's contract, but the way the Rockets hope to get Westbrook is not a single change, they hope to get the Lakers in the first round of 2027 in this deal or pull into the third-party trade team.
Another Rockets reporter, Adam Spline, forwarded Stein's message, saying: Even if the Rockets reached a deal with the Lakers, the Rockets would not reach a buyout with Westbrook soon, and they may negotiate a buyout with Westbrook soon, but it is unlikely to reach an agreement quickly. The Rockets are still negotiating a buyout with Wall, and they just can't reach an agreement to enter the deal.
Summarized three points: 1. The Rockets are the only team willing to take over Westbrook's contract;
2. You can only change Wall, and you have to add the first round or pull in a third party;
3. It is unlikely to reach a buyout immediately, because 90 million in two years is not a small amount (immediately buy out Wei Shao can join the Lakers with a basic salary).
So, if Pelinka made the deal between Westbrook and Wall is a gambling deal, the Lakers sacrificed the first round of 2027 to get a Wall who suffered a major injury to the Achilles tendon rupture + half a season has not played, Wall averaged 20.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.05 steals and 0.69 blocks last season, shooting 40%, three-point shooting rate of 32%, not as good as last season's Westbrook, can he really have a tacit understanding with Zhan Mei?
Is Wei Shao really as bad as the outside world says? I think there really is none, Westbrook's shooting rate of 43.7% is higher than Curry's 41.6%, and Westbrook only has 26 mistakes in a single month in January, 29 times than Curry, Harden 56 times less, Westbrook's offensive efficiency is improving, the turnover rate is reduced, why should he become the Lakers' back pot man? As Barkley put it: "The Lakers management wants Westbrook and Vogel as backstabbers, they have formed a sparse lineup, and now there is no gap to vent." ”
(Now the rumors that Vogel is out of class and the rumors that Westbrook is being traded are both bad luck for the Lakers management)
Text/Yan Xiaobai