A Trade To Wizards May Make Russell Westbrook Regret Asking

Russell Westbrook reportedly wants out of Houston, and the Rockets may actually grant his wish. It just may not be where he wants to go.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Rockets have been talking with the Washington Wizards about trading Westbrook, forming a deal that may involve Wizards point guard John Wall.

The idea of a Westbrook-Bradley Beal backcourt in D.C. is undoubtedly intriguing. Beal is coming off an excellent season, scoring a career-high 30.5 points and career-high 6.1 assists.

But as with any star, you have to wonder how Westbrook will fit in Washington. You can be forgiven if you're inclined to think that it probably won't be good.

The Rockets seemed to be going places in the first season with Westbrook, who shared the backcourt with James Harden. It actually went fairly well. The Rockets were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, but that was against the Los Angeles Lakers. And the Lakers beat everyone.

The Rockets really were sort of a new team with Westbrook. They deserved another year to figure it out.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have long spun their wheels, spending most of the past decade as a team that just misses the playoffs, or one that makes the playoffs only to get bounced right away.

Trading Wall for Westbrook isn't the sort of move that would put either team over the top. Far from it.

And as of now, Charania cautions, the talks are just that -- talk.

Westbrook can still hope, though a trade away from the Rockets and to the Wizards may make him sorry he ever asked.