Houston Rockets: 3 outcomes for Westbrook/Wall trade

1. The Houston Rockets are really good

While not the most likely scenario, there is absolutely a path forward that would have most Houston Rockets’ fans giddy. If everything comes together, this is a team that could push to make a deep playoff run in the Western Conference.

The reality of last season is that the team had to contort itself — roster, offensive style, everything — to accommodate the game of Russell Westbrook. He passes to get assists, rebounds to get triple doubles, and has never met a shot he didn’t like despite his shaky efficiency.

In contrast, John Wall made a career (and a lot of money) out of empowering teammates to hit shots. Similarly blessed with athleticism (if not quite as nuclear as Westbrook), Wall at his best was streaking into the teeth of the defense and firing ambidextrous passes to either corner so his open teammates could knock down shots. Careers were built (and kept alive, as Paul Pierce can attest) by Wall setting up teammates with his speed and passing.

If he can return at close to his former level of play, that version of John Wall — while not a perfect fit with a ball-dominant James Harden — absolutely has a place on a good team. Wall is a mediocre outside shooter (career 32.4 percent from deep), but that’s well above what Westbrook gave them last season (25.8 percent from three).

A healthy Wall attacking closeouts or running the second team, pairing with Christian Wood for a hyper-athletic pick-and-roll combination, throwing pinpoint passes to corner maestro P.J. Tucker — that’s the path to a scary Houston Rockets offense. It could get Wall another All-Star berth and the team a favored playoff berth. If they can score at elite levels, then it’s possible they can make a run in the postseason.

Win enough games, and perhaps the franchise can prove to Harden that this is a place to continue his career. Perhaps, finally, the Rockets have found the right point guard to be Harden’s running mate. That would be an outcome all Houston fans can find peace with.