Houston Rockets

Report: Houston Rockets viewed Russell Westbrook’s trade request as a ‘blessing in disguise’

Published by
Peter Dewey

The Houston Rockets traded star guard Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday for John Wall and a first-round pick.

While Westbrook’s trade request earlier this offseason seemed to put Houston in a tough spot, the Rockets reportedly viewed it as a “blessing in disguise,” according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.

“The Rockets’ new front office searched far and wide for Westbrook destinations as soon as he expressed that he didn’t want to be there anymore, according to multiple league sources,” O’Connor wrote. “Houston viewed Westbrook’s desire to leave as a blessing in disguise. Trading him provides another opportunity to make Harden happy again.”

Harden reportedly preferred Wall over Westbrook as his teammate this season.

The Rockets will now move forward with a duo of Wall and Harden, and they added a first-round pick while they were at it.

Houston is looking to make a run in what will be a tough Western Conference this season.

As for Westbrook, he will get a chance to play alongside another star in Washington’s Bradley Beal.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball, football and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

1 hour ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

2 hours ago

Report: Rival teams project Blazers as team to monitor for potential trades this offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers are watching the 2025 NBA Playoffs from home after they finished…

14 hours ago

NFC executive praises Shedeur Sanders’ ability to make difficult throws: ‘He’s got probably the best collection of those’

Former University of Colorado Boulder star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is projected by some to be…

14 hours ago

Rams head coach Sean McVay would ‘never rule out’ possibility of reuniting with Jalen Ramsey

Folks should prepare for rumors connecting star Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey to his former…

21 hours ago

Anonymous NBA players shocked at Mavericks’ lack of return in Luka Doncic trade: ‘Messed the league up’

The Athletic polled over 150 NBA players around the league to gauge their thoughts on…

21 hours ago