Following Russell Westbrook wanting out of Houston, the Charlotte Hornets emerge as a landing spot.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Charlotte Hornets are a “potential suitor for the Rockets All-Star Russell Westbrook”. Below is his video from Twitter:
The Hornets have emerged as a potential suitor for Rockets All-Star Russell Westbrook, sources tell our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/8hineXP3AN
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 12, 2020
The Hornets are one of a “few” serious suitors for the previous MVP. The organization has supposedly already been in trade talks with Houston. With the Rockets roster seemingly disgruntled through and through, the Rockets can look to blow up their team and start a complete rebuild.
The Hornets have both the cap space and the assets to attain the UCLA alum, where the team will likely have to ship out the number three overall pick. The number three pick is extremely valuable and the Rockets will probably be looking for it in any kind of trade.
The number three pick can be used to pick up either NCAA phenom Anthony Edwards, Australian megastar LaMelo Ball, Southern Cal’s Onyeko Okongwu, or the athletic James Wiseman. The prospects all bring their own skills to the table and can add to the young talented roster in Swarm City.
The Hornets young roster includes a very talented Terry Rozier, who can and has been doing really well since coming from the Boston Celtics. Devonte’ Graham took the league by storm as a Most Improved Player candidate while averaging 18 points per game last season. Miles Bridges is a super talented player from Michigan State who was the Rising Stars MVP. Finally, let’s not forget about PJ Washington, who set a record for most three’s in a debut.
The Hornets have Terry Rozier and Nicolas Batum to dangle in trade dues to their contracts, with Malik Monk as a possible piece because of his skills. Rozier is very talented and the Rockets could be very interested in grabbing the five-year veteran. Rozier averaged 18 points last year in Charlotte with an impressive jump in productivity from Boston.
Russell Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, two-time scoring champion, two-time assist leader, and even averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons.
Last season Westbrook averaged 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists last season after improving his shooting averages after the All-Star break. Westbrook had a field goal percentage of 47 percent, even though he struggled from behind the arch.