Rockets must consider reunion with former superstar point guard

Russell Westbrook's time with the Houston Rockets was brief. The team ought to consider bringing him back in free agency.

Is that crazy? Perhaps. Is it so crazy that it just might work? That also feels possible. Westbrook may be nearing the end of his career, but he's still a solid third-string guard.

Yes, Westbrook is a flawed player. Those flaws are well-documented. One of those flaws is shooting, which has been a sore spot for the Rockets in recent years.

Why would they add another suspect shooter?

Rockets desperately need ball handling

Well, the Rockets made an effort to improve their shooting this summer.

In terms of cumulative three-point accuracy, they made major strides. Kevin Durant (43.0% in 2024-25) and Dorian Finney-Smith (41.1%) are replacing Dillon Brooks (39.7%) and Jalen Green (35.4%).

That's not to say the Rockets are an elite shooting team - they're far from it. That said, it's something they addressed this summer. Some fans even wanted Finney-Smith's salary slot to go to a ball-handler:

Enter Russell Westbrook.

In 2024-25, Westbrook had arguably his worst season. His -1.1 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) left much to be desired. Still, he did average 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game. This is still a productive reserve:

Is he better than the options the Rockets have?

Rockets should think carefully about Russell Westbrook

It's a tough call.

In theory, Aaron Holiday is the more suitable rotation guard. He shot 39.8% from deep last year, and he's a better defender. Yet, Holiday is less dynamic than Westbrook. Westbrook's ability to rebound will also help the Rockets triple down on what's already their biggest strength.

Another reasonable apprehension about Westbrook pertains to Reed Sheppard. Will he block his path to success? Is it worth making another developmental sacrifice to pick up an extra win or two?

So, there are good reasons to avoid Westbrook. Yet, there are equally sound reasons to advocate for him. He'd give the Rockets another player who can create offense from the perimeter. They badly need that.

More broadly, reunions are fun. Westbrook would also be reuniting with Kevin Durant. That could make the Rockets a must-watch team - ownership might see dollar signs. As much as that matters, the move has to make basketball sense. There has to be room in the rotation for Westbrook.

If anything, he'd squeeze Holiday out. The Rockets could find time for Sheppard as the primary backup point guard who moonlights as an off-guard next to Westbrook.

It feels like a long shot. The Rockets seem content with the roster they have, and incorporating Westbrook is likely too complicated for them to consider. Still, adding him on a low-money contract could make them a better team in 2025-26:

It could help Westbrook improve his Rockets legacy as well.