The shocking reason why a Rockets' Russell Westbrook reunion could have worked

Russell Westbrook's original stint with the Houston Rockets didn't go as hoped. Years later, he now remains unsigned this offseason for a reason, but a reunion with his old team actually could make some sense. Westbrook played for the Rockets in 2019-20 in what was his first year away from the Oklahoma City Thunder. His lone season in Houston was also the last time that he made the All-Star game.

The former MVP and future Hall of Famer has had an up-and-down career ever since leaving Oklahoma City, and his time in the NBA is soon coming to a close, but Westbrook brings the playmaking that will be coveted in Houston this year. While Westbrook has signed with the Sacramento Kings, the Rockets should have given him a second chance and ended his extended time on the open market.

The Rockets are desperate for another point guard

The Rockets had a fantastic offseason that proved they are all in on winning a championship. Most notably, they added Kevin Durant in a seven-team deal that was bigger than any NBA trade before it. Durant is one of the best players in NBA history, and his three-level scoring could get the team to the next level.

The Rockets also added Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith in the offseason, in addition to re-signing Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate, Jabari Smith Jr., and Fred VanVleet. Unfortunately, the latter of that group tore his ACL just weeks before the start of the season. VanVleet's season-ending injury leaves the Rockets thin at the point guard position.

Reed Sheppard was the number three overall pick just a year ago. He will be asked to step up, but the Kentucky product had a somewhat underwhelming first season. The Rockets may be hesitant to fully commit to him. Westbrook is well past his prime and shouldn't be counted on to play starter minutes, but the Rockets could sign him in the hopes that he could work as an off-the-bench option.

Westbrook had somewhat of a resurgence with the Denver Nuggets last season. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, both of which were improvements from his numbers with the Los Angeles Clippers. Westbrook also showed that he is willing and able to adapt. His 3-point efficiency improved to 32.3%, and he limited the poor shot selection that had plagued him in prior years. Most importantly, Westbrook proved that he could contribute on a winning team, which is something that the Rockets need coming off a year in which they earned the two-seed but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Westbrook would fit the mold of an athletic freak on a Rockets team that has a bunch of them. The point guard could get the team's slashers and shooters the basketball where they like it. Westbrook also showed great chemistry with Nikola Jokic last season, and many have coined Alperen Sengun as "Baby Jokic."

Instead, however, Westbrook has gone to the Kings, ending any chance of this becoming

While Westbrook's previous stint with the Rockets wasn't the prettiest, he has seemingly evolved since then. More so, the Rockets are desperate for a point guard, so it may just been worth gambling on the one on the open market who ranks as one of the greatest lead guards in NBA history.