Rockets Facing Russell Westbrook Decision After Fred VanVleet News

Westbrook, who declined his $3.47 million player option with the Denver Nuggets, remains unsigned as training camp nears. A return to Houston, where he played in 2019-20, would be headline-worthy, particularly alongside Durant — who he starred with on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rockets Have One Problem on Potential Russell Westbrook Signing

All this being said, Houston's cap situation presents a roadblock. The Rockets are roughly $1.2 million from the first apron hard-cap, leaving little flexibility. They could apply for a disabled player exception, yet that doesn’t clear enough space to add a veteran minimum deal outright.

"For those asking, the Rockets can't sign Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons, or anyone else since they are roughly $1.2M from the first apron hard-cap," Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints explained on X. "The Rockets can apply for a disabled player exception, but that doesn't change their financial restrictions."

This is where the Rockets face a decision. Westbrook, who averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 75 games for the Nuggets last season, would be a great replacement for the injured VanVleet. He has familiarity with Durant, vocal leadership skills and remains productive at age 36. But the Rockets would have to disrupt their current roster via a cap-saving move in order to make this possible, which makes it a difficult decision.

Aside from Houston making a cap-saving move, their best options are to wait for to sign a prorated minimum later in the year or turn inward.

Rockets' Internal Options Amid Russell Westbrook Speculation

This all likely means more minutes for Reed Sheppard and veteran Aaron Holiday. The Rockets cannot easily move recently signed players—Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, Josh Okogie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, or Clint Capela—until later in the season.

Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in his lone season with the Rockets in 2019-20, helping lead them to the playoffs. His chemistry with Durant from their Oklahoma City days and his past stint in Houston make the possibility of a reunion intriguing.

However, given the Rockets’ financial restrictions and roster commitments, his signing is unlikely in the short term. Houston appears more inclined to lean on its depth until cap conditions shift later in the season. For now, Westbrook remains available, but a return to Houston is something the Rockets would have to make a complicated decision on.