Russell Westbrook ‘tells Houston Rockets he wants to be traded’ just a year after former MVP point guard joined NBA franchise

Perennial All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook is looking to seek a trade away from the Houston Rockets, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

This follows a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim McMahon that both Westbrook and James Harden are concerned about the future of the franchise and have expressed such concerns to their agents and team management.

However, a recent report by The Athletic’s Charania in light of Westbrook’s desire to leave the team, claims that James Harden is focused and preparing for another season with the Houston Rockets. 

In his maiden season with the Rockets, former MVP Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists, a stat line we have come to expect.

A mouth-watering combination on paper, Westbrook and Harden were not able to end the franchise’s 25-year wait for an NBA title – crashing out in the second round of the Western Conference Play-offs to eventual champions the Los Angeles Lakers.

This sparked an array of changes within the team, with head coach Mike D’Antoni and long-time general manager Daryl Morey both leaving their posts in Houston.

Both men have gone on to find new job opportunities since, with D’Antoni joining NBA legend and new head coach Steve Nash at the Brooklyn Nets, where they will oversee the development of superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Morey joins the Philadelphia 76ers as head of basketball operations – in what has been a very busy offseason behind the scenes at the franchise.

Rafael Stone has been promoted from assistant general manager to general manager for the Rockets, whereas experienced assistant and first time NBA head coach Stephen Silas replaced D’Antoni.

Stone, who has been with the franchise for 14 seasons, insisted in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that the team remain ‘all in’ on their championship aspirations – clearly not a convincing enough proposition for Westbrook.

Westbrook, who turned 32 on Thursday, has three years left on a five-year, $207million (£158m) contract extension that he signed prior to his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder that brought him to Houston at the start of last season.

This makes a move away from the team in the immediate future difficult, as the point guard will become a restricted agent in the year 2023, meaning that the Houston Rockets will have to find a suitable trade destination for the player if he wants out before then.

By Jack Brazil