If the Houston Rockets are going to trade All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, the window to do so opens at 11 a.m. Central on Monday.
That’s when the NBA will lift its trade moratorium, per ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski. Trades were on hold while the league finalized the financial terms for its revised Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), owing to reduced revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Westbrook recently requested a trade, the Rockets are certainly not required to grant that request, since he’s under contract for at least two additional seasons. But with training camp for the 2020-21 season looming in just two weeks (Tuesday, Dec. 1), the Rockets need to decide relatively quickly if they’re going to make a deal — or if they will stay the course. If it’s the latter, they would prefer to improve the relationship and address some of Westbrook’s concerns prior to camp, rather than leaving his uncertain status as a potential distraction to the team.
The NBA’s 2020 draft will then take place on Wednesday night, while free agency is set to open at 5:00 p.m. Central on Friday afternoon.
Trade season begins Monday afternoon, sources tell ESPN. Teams were informed the NBA’s moratorium will end at noon ET and deals can begin to be consummated.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 15, 2020
