Updated Odds on Where James Harden and Russell Westbrook Will Play 2020-21 NBA Season

• Despite trade rumors, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are still on the Houston Rockets as training camps begin
• Odds now favor Harden and Westbrook to still be with Houston when the season starts on December 22nd
• What does the future hold for these two former MVPs?

The majority of NBA offseason moves have already happened. Free agents are signed up, big trades have gone through, but two disgruntled stars have yet to be dealt.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook, who both reportedly want to be traded, are still on the Houston Rockets.

Landing spots have disappeared for both Harden and Westbrook. The Rockets are standing firm on their desire to keep hold of Harden. Potential suitors for Westbrook have filled their cap space or made other moves that effectively rule out a trade for the former Thunder star.

Below are the odds for where James Harden will be plying his trade this year.

Odds on Where James Harden Plays 2020-21 NBA Season

All odds from December 2nd

Beard Stick in H-Town?

Harden, if he’s to leave Houston, is almost certainly heading for Brooklyn to reunite with Kevin Durant. When rumors of a Harden trade first surfaced, the Sixers were the favorites to swing a deal. The hiring of Daryl Morey played a part in that, but it soon became apparent that the Nets were the frontrunners.

Harden and Durant have worked out together, hatching a plan to team up again.

As the odds show, it’s very much down to Brooklyn or Houston at this point. There’s little indication the Sixers are ready to make a move for Harden. Philly can trump Brooklyn’s bid by including Ben Simmons in a deal, but the Sixers seem set to have another season of trying to make Joel Embiid and Simmons work together. There’s little to no chance Philly makes a Harden trade before December 22nd.

Harden has two years and a player option left on his deal. Houston are digging their heels in firmly over his trade demands. Since it first emerged that the Nets were pursuing Harden, the reporting has leaned towards the Rockets keeping their superstar. There has been no suggestion of Harden doing anything to force through a trade.

The Rockets are not under pressure to find a trade for Harden. They have traded away so many picks that tanking is not an option. Keeping Harden, having another go at a deep playoff run, is their only viable path.

Any trade return from the Nets will not net them a star. Although the Warriors supposedly showed interest in Harden before Klay Thompson’s injury, there’s no way they enquire again before the season starts.

Signing Christian Wood gives the Rockets interior presence at both ends. Wood can space the floor for Harden and roll to the basket. They might have lost Robert Covington, but they added a player who can help them in 2020-21. Houston is not motivated to move their franchise player – it will take an irresistible offer or major action from Harden to force a trade before opening night.

Harden to still be on the Rockets at evens looks a great bet right now. Only the Sixers offering Simmons or Harden refusing to play will make a trade happen in the next three weeks.

Odds on Where Russell Westbrook Plays 2020-21 NBA Season

Much Harder to Move Russ

While Harden is an asset, Westbrook’s contract and recent injury history make him a difficult player to move. Swapping his contract for an equally undesirable deal has been floated with John Wall and Blake Griffin frequently thrown into the trade machine, but why would the Wizards or Pistons take Westbrook? Neither of those teams even feature in these odds.

On November 24th, Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Rockets have engaged in trade talks for Westbrook. Shams Charania followed up on December 1st, saying the Cavaliers have been in talks with Houston.

The Rockets and Cavs reportedly discussed a potential Russell Westbrook trade on Draft week, via @ShamsCharania, h/t @WeAreCavsNation. pic.twitter.com/PdvMjq1b6l

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 1, 2020

The trouble with any Westbrook trade talks is Houston will want a meaningful return. The Rockets, little over a year ago, gave up two firsts and two picks swaps (along with Chris Paul) to acquire Westbrook. A rebuild is coming for the Rockets at some point in the not too distant future – they will want draft capital back if they deal Westbrook, but teams are not going to be interested in doing that.

Westbrook is a floor-raiser. He could make the Knicks, Hornets or Cavaliers better. Maybe they’re playoff teams with him. Those teams are not going to give up substantial draft assets and/or young players. The Clippers might look to make a big three, but sending out sufficient salary isn’t easy and they have no picks to trade. What can any team that would reasonably be interested in Westbrook give Houston that might make them accept a trade?

Aside from the Rockets’ likely over-the-top demands, there are few teams where Westbrook makes sense. Michael Jordan is a big fan of Westbrook, but they are already stacked with ball handlers. Trading for Westbrook after drafting LaMelo Ball would be misguided even by the Hornets’ standards. Cleveland has young guards, too.

The Knicks have been sensible this offseason. Westbrook does not fit their timeline, nor does he make on-court sense with Mitchell Robinson or RJ Barrett. You can never rule out the Knicks making a reckless deal for an ageing star, but they appear content to go into next season with this group.

Where Houston is unwilling to trade Harden, they might just be unable to deal Westbrook. It would be a massive shock if they find a trade for him before the season starts.