With power forward Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets now wrestling with ideas about what to do about their point guard position, rumors are swirling around a possible reunion between former Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook, an unsigned free agent and Kevin Durant. 

Reuniting the iconic duo would give the Rockets more depth and a veteran presence on the bench upon forward Dorian Finney-Smith’s return. Durant and Westbrook have a long history and undeniable chemistry. The two, along with James Harden, are credited for re-building a dwindling Oklahoma City Thunder franchise from 2008-2016. 

After Harden’s departure, Durant and Westbrook secured a Western Conference championship for the Thunder in 2012. If reunited in Houston, they could utilize a full roster of project players, like rookie Reed Sheppard, and possibly finish what they started in Oklahoma. 

Houston’s ticket sales are already up some 25-percent from last season, which president of business operations Gretchen Sheirr attributes to the acquisition of Kevin Durant, per CHRON . If Houston and Westbrook decide to pull the trigger on this possible meant-to-be reunion, there’s no doubt attendance for the Rockets would skyrocket. 

Undoubtedly though, the two do have a complicated history, and fans speculate that an old rivalry could resurface. When Durant and Westbrook split in 2016, Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors, an insult to fans and Westbrook himself due to the teams’ long-standing feud. 

Westbrook stayed behind with the Thunder and virtually carried the team alone, while Durant snagged two rings and was awarded Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018. 

The Houston Rockets now have a superstar, a proven coach, and youth with experience. Unless the feud is still alive in some part, what would it hurt to bring on Westbrook? 

It’s possible Westbrook is too much of a financial commitment for Houston at the moment after signing Durant. Although Houston lacks the cap space for a veteran minimum contract, the NBA has a disabled player exemption that could put this possibility in play with VanVleet out for the season. Regardless, the timing seems perfect and the Rockets may just be waiting for the right time to drop the news.

With preseason starting and regular season quickly approaching, if Houston wants to make the move and commit to bringing on Westbrook, they need to do so now.

Even though the Thunder is projected to repeat last year’s domination, a matchup between Oklahoma City and a Durant/Westbrook Rockets franchise in the Western Conference Finals would be the headline of the series. Houston aside, all fans of the game should be rooting for a Rockets-Westbrook deal and a story-book-ending reunion.