It's the year 2025, and there is a real chance that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will play together, nine years after the former left the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Warriors. On Monday afternoon, ESPN NBA insider reported that Rockets guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL, giving Houston a desperate need for another point guard.
Westbrook has been an unrestricted free agent since he declined his player option for the 2025-26 season with Denver. Sacramento has shown interest in Westbrook, but after the latest news, Houston could swoop in. The Rockets will need to make a trade to create space for Westbrook, as they're $1.2 million below the first tax apron, where they're hard-capped.
Training camps are set to open in one week, meaning Westbrook could be in Houston soon. For a team with championship aspirations, expecting second-year guard Reed Sheppard to have the season of a lifetime is unrealistic. Bringing in Russ wouldn't hurt.
Rockets could be interested in Westbrook after FVV injury
The biggest storyline out of Westbrook's possible return to Houston would be teaming up with Durant again. The Rockets finished behind the Thunder as the second-best team in the West last season, and they made several moves this offseason, with the KD trade dominating headlines. Losing FVV is a tough blow, but Houston is still a contender.
Imagine what it would be like watching Russ and Durant play together again, but this time, with Rockets jerseys. It would feel like watching the NBA in a different universe. It would get even wilder if Houston did manage to win it all, but Oklahoma City will have something to say about that as the defending champions.
Westbrook signing with a team was likely, even before the FVV news and the fact that it's almost the end of September. He played a key role off the bench last season for Denver. He'll turn 37 in November, but Westbrook's playing days aren't over yet. He isn't the star he once was with the Thunder, but that's what happens with time.
Whether the Rockets decide to bring Russ back to Houston is to be determined, but there aren't any top free agent point guards left on the market this time of year. He's their best option.