Kevin Durant could create storybook ending if the Rockets make controversial move

The Houston Rockets have been linked to Russell Westbrook as he searches for a new NBA home. It could create a storybook ending if they landed him.

It wasn't so shocking to see Kevin Durant advocating for his arrival. They're old friends. Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer agrees.

"It's not so shocking that (Durant) would want to see Westbrook back in Houston"

- Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report

He's right. Moreover, the Rockets have a gaping hole in their point guard rotation. Some Rockets fans are hoping JD Davidson could fill it, and he might. That said, bringing in a veteran to oscillate the Rockets could be wise.

If only it were that simple.

Rockets face obstacles in acquiring Westbrook

To Fischer's credit, he recognizes that.

"While they're weighing (extensions)...they're hard capped at the first apron...there's going to be some type of date where the Rockets would need to wait for a prorated amount of the veteran minimum to bring (anyone) on board"

- Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report

The NBA's cap machinations can be a headache for anyone. Let's keep it simple. The Rockets can't sign Westbrook now, but they may be able to sign him later. Here's the question:

Should they?

Rockets may not benefit from Westbrook's presence

There's no simple answer there.

On a surface level, there's a knee-jerk "no". The Rockets are perhaps the worst shooting NBA team with title aspirations. Westbrook shot 32.3% from deep in 2024-25. That's better than his 30.5% career mark.

Westbrook is 36. His best days are long behind him. With a -1.1 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) last year, it wasn't even clear that Westbrook was a positive impact player for the Nuggets.

And yet...

The Rockets don't strictly need shooting. They need ball-handling. Westbrook can still provide that. This is a player who averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists per game last year. Westbrook can still make stuff happen.

If Houston does sign him, he shouldn't be in line for a starting role. He may not even be a primary backup. The Rockets should be splitting point guard duties between Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard first and foremost.

They could run the third string by committee. The Rockets could split limited minutes between Davidson, Westbrook, and Aaron Holiday, and ultimately keep whoever is working the best in their playoff rotation.

Perhaps it's inconsequential. Anyone could agree that Westbrook won't change the Rockets' fortunes in 2025-26. If they do bring him on, they won't be looking at him as a needle mover.

That said, it could be worth signing Westbrook by virtue of sheer fun. Reuniting him with Durant would conjure some fuzzy, warm feelings. His veteran mentorship could have some use as well.

Best of all, if they won, it would be a storybook finish.