The Russell Westbrook-John Wall swap between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets has long been rumored, but for those still wishing it happens, don't get your hopes up.
By the looks of it, the said trade idea is unlikely to happen unless the Lakers give in to the Rockets' demands, per NBA Insider Marc Stein.
Regarding the long-running idea that Westbrook could be swapped again for Houston’s John Wall, since both would be making near-identical $47 million salaries next season, one source briefed on the situation told me this week that Houston’s interest has always been predicated on the Lakers including draft compensation to sweeten the deal, which L.A. steadfastly refuses to do.
Sure enough, this is not the first time that the Lakers' refusal to add a pick in the trade proposal has been reported. As mentioned in April, the Rockets wanted a future first-rounder to make the deal happen, which was a non-starter for LA.
Prior to the February trade deadline, there were talks that the Lakers were willing to send Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker and a first-rounder to Houston, but that was in exchange for both Wall and Christian Wood. Of course it seemed like the Rockets didn't like the proposal.
It is unknown if the Lakers still want to trade Westbrook at this point, though. After the team hired Darvin Ham, the new head coach has shared his plans for his Big 3 with Russ, which suggests that he is working as if the explosive guard is staying.
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