Russell Westbrook may be set to take another surprising turn in his career. For the Los Angeles Lakers fans who actually appreciated his effort, intensity, energy, and leadership, the idea of him heading back to the Houston Rockets is something worth watching.
Westbrook reuniting with KD would be must-see TV
The Lakers moved on from Westbrook seasons ago, but that does not mean his story no longer matters to at least some Los Angeles fans. Seeing him potentially reunite with Kevin Durant in Houston adds a layer of intrigue to an already loaded Western Conference.
The Rockets came into this offseason swinging. They were able to retain Fred VanVleet on a two-year deal, they landed Durant in a headline-grabbing trade, they added former Laker Dorian Finney-Smith, and they have bolstered their roster with experienced depth. Let’s just say the team’s expectations shot up fast.
Unfortunately, then came the setback. A pretty major one at that, as VanVleet recently suffered a torn ACL, per ESPN's Shams Charania, and is expected to miss most of, if not the entirety of, the upcoming season.
Now, Houston is scrambling for a replacement at point guard. Westbrook immediately jumps out as a logical option.
He has been here before. He played in Houston during the 2019-20 season and, of course, has a long and well-documented history with Durant from their Oklahoma City Thunder days. That on-court chemistry, even in their mid-30s, is something basketball fans around the league would love to see again.
Last season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook quietly had a solid year, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 75 games. He is no longer the explosive triple-double threat, but that is because he has adapted into more of a secondary playmaker, and a veteran leader who still shows heart and hustle.
Currently, he is still a free agent and at age 36, those qualities could be exactly what Houston needs in VanVleet’s absence. For Lakers fans who respected Russ’s relentless style, even if the fit in Los Angeles never quite worked, this would be a satisfying move to root for from afar.
The Rockets would need to free up cap space to make any deal happen, likely through a trade. Their aggressive approach so far shows they are not afraid to shake things up. Most signs point to the Lakers chapter being closed for Westbrook.
The idea of him running with KD again, in a system that needs his voice and fire, is nostalgic, refreshing, and fun to watch unfold, especially for the Lakers’ fans who still have a soft spot for Russ.