The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a potential suitor of Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, according to Shams Charania of Stadium.
“A couple other teams have emerged as suitors, but in Charlotte there are veteran movable contracts, as well as the Jordan Brand connection,” Charania said. “So far in talks, the Rockets have been protective of both James Harden and Russell Westbrook, but there is plenty of time between now and Wednesday’s NBA draft.”
Westbrook, 32, requested a trade after his lone season in Houston.
The Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks have been mentioned as other reported suitors.
But trading Westbrook won’t be easy.
“This is complicated for a couple of reasons,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter. “(The Rockets) don’t have equity — this front office and this coaching staff does not have equity with the star players. Secondly, a trade option for Westbrook is limited. There is not much of a market for him for value.”
The Rockets recently hired Stephen Silas as coach and promoted Rafael Stone to general manager.
“The Rockets believe that they can manage this, that Stephen Silas will be able to make people happy,” Windhorst said. “And that they can do some things in free agency.”
The window to make trades is expected to open by early next week, with free agency set to begin Nov. 20.
Charlotte owns the No. 4 overall pick in the draft and Hornets owner Michael Jordan is reportedly looking to make a splash this offseason.
