The Houston Rockets "remain steadfast" heading to the NBA trade deadline in their refusal to consider a trade of John Wall for Russell Westbrook unless the Los Angeles Lakers include their 2027 first round pick, one source told Marc Stein of Substack.

The Lakers are in a free fall as the experiment with Westbrook has been even less effective than even skeptics in the summer predicted.

Wall hasn't played at all this season, but is conceptually a better fit than Westbrook alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Wall and Westbrook were traded to each other in 2020 with the Washington Wizards attaching a first round pick in order to acquire Westbrook from the Rockets.

Wall is represented by Klutch Sports, who also represent James and Davis. Buyout talks between Wall and the Rockets have not progressed at all, according to reports throughout the season.