![Russell Westbrook joins the Rockets after 11 seasons with the Thunder. [Image Source: Flickr | Bryan Horowitz]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/8/5/660x290/b_502x220x82/russell-westbrook-joins-the-rockets-after-11-seasons-with-the-thunder-image-source-flickr-bryan-horowitz_2305555.jpg "Russell Westbrook joins the Rockets after 11 seasons with the Thunder. [Image Source: Flickr | Bryan Horowitz]")
After a wild and crazy offseason filled with a bevy of star players changing addresses, there will be many instances in which that player will return to his former team’s home.
Here are seven games next season in which that will be occurring. Not listed is the Celtics’ Kemba Walker’s first trip back to Charlotte against the Hornets as that date has not been announced.
All of the dates for the player’s return were announced on the Twitter page of the Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Predictions: When first announced, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis get booed vociferously, Kristaps Porzingis and Paul George receive a mixture of boos and cheers, and Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook, and Mike Conley receive standing ovations.
November 14 - Mavericks at Knicks (return of Kristaps Porzingis)
While he missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL, Porzingis was traded to the Mavericks last February. He asked for a trade from the Knicks which was granted by their front office.
November 15 - Jazz at Grizzlies (return of Mike Conley)
After spending his first 12 seasons in Memphis, Conley was traded to the Jazz in the offseason. According to Basketball-Reference, he is the Grizzlies’ franchise leader in a multitude of categories including points (11,733), assists (4,509), steals (1,161), and games played (788).
November 27 - Nets at Celtics (return of Kyrie Irving)
Reports of team chemistry suffering in Boston due in large part to the presence of Irving led many to believe he would leave in free agency. That turned out to be the case as he signed with the Nets this offseason.
November 27 - Lakers at Pelicans (return of Anthony Davis)
A high-profile trade demand was given by Davis to the Pelicans’ front office last season which led to him being traded to the Lakers last June. The six-time All-Star spent his first seven seasons playing for New Orleans.
December 11 - Clippers at Raptors (return of Kawhi Leonard)
While Leonard’s tenure with the Raptors wasn’t a lengthy one (just one season), it will forever be memorable as he was named Finals MVP after Toronto defeated the Warriors in the NBA Finals. It was the team’s first championship, one the fans will forever be grateful for.
January 9 - Rockets at Thunder (return of Russell Westbrook)
Once Paul George was shipped away by Oklahoma City, it seemed obvious the next to go would be the franchise icon Westbrook who was traded to the Rockets. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Thunder, averaged a triple-double each of the last three seasons, and was the 2016-17 MVP.
March 3 - Clippers at Thunder (return of Paul George)
Just one year after surprising many by re-signing with the Thunder, George requested a trade, which was granted, as he was sent to the Clippers. He finished third in both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.
