For Second Consecutive Off-Season, Rockets Swap Point Guards

On Sunday, guard John Wall spoke to the media for the first time since being acquired by the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Wall said he spoke with James Harden, who was not at practice, and asserted that he and Harden had wanted to play together. Wall said he believed Harden wanted to be with the Rockets organization.

The Rockets, of course, hope Harden reports, as rumors swirl about his future with the team. That hope is not just due to Harden himself, but in relation to Wall who looks like he will most likely play out his current contract with Houston. A trade of Harden would signal a rebuild for Houston around 25-year-old center Christian Wood and a timeline in which the 30-year-old Wall does not fit.

Of course, most around the league felt the Rockets would be unable to trade Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook, the two point guards Houston had before Wall, both traded for each other before Westbrook was sent to Washington for Wall.

Wall is currently on a 4-year, $171.132 million contract which he signed while with the Wizards. He will earn $41.25 million this season, and $44.31 million in 2021-22. Wall has a player option in 2022-23 which, if exercised, would pay him $47.37 million that year. Wall will be 32 at the end of that deal.

The best case scenario for Houston is that Harden reports, and he and Wall mesh on the court, with Wall returning close to his form before injury. Such a scenario would see Harden and Wall play out their contracts together in Houston. Harden also has a player option before the 2022-23 season for $47.37 million.

There’s also a world where Wall recovers completely from his injuries, regains his speed and physical gifts, and the Rockets are able to trade him again for younger assets. It seems unlikely though that any team would have interest in the remaining money owed on his contract. The market for Westbrook was barren and Houston was only able to make the move because Wall’s value became so low due to his injuries.

Last summer, the contracts of Paul, Westbrook, and Wall were widely regarded as the three worst in the league. Houston will now have had all three in the span of just fifteen months. Paul, 35, is owed $41.36 million in 2020-21; he has a player option in 2021-22 which, if exercised, will pay him $44.211 million.

Westbrook is owed $41.36 million in 2020-21, $44.21 million in 2021-22, and has a player option in 2022-23 which will pay him $47.06 million, if exercised. When the Rockets traded Paul for Westbrook last summer, it was widely believed that the team made the move to extend its window. Now, with Harden unhappy, the window may be completely shut.