Lakers’ Russell Westbrook trade to San Antonio Spurs? ‘Still Alive’ when the deadline approaches
The Los Angeles Lakers remain in pursuit of a trade, and according to a San Antonio-based report, are still talking with the San Antonio Spurs about a potential deal.
The Spurs – who play at the Lakers on Wednesday – are mainly interested in Westbrook as an expiring contract, and it appears they otherwise plan to be sellers before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, with names like Jakob Poeltl, Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson is levitated.
San Antonio, in this kind of deal, would have to absorb $47 million in Westbrook salary and may seek compensation in the form of a draft pick to do so. Richardson’s name has also been mentioned in connection with a supposed deal.
This is all quite a downfall for the admittedly dynamic Westbrook, but despite his All-Star talent, he hasn’t proven to be a good fit with a LeBron James-led Lakers team struggling to get to .500.
Westbrook is currently averaging about 16 points per game. game with his 7.6 assists and 6.6 rebounds. Those numbers could, in theory, provide a boost to coach Greg Popovich’s Spurs, who have not …
But that would not be the main point of this kind of agreement.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have already made a notable deal by acquiring Rui Hachimura, who was ultimately traded from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers on Monday.
Hachimura is due for a new contract this summer, so Washington chose to move on.
The official trade deal involves the Lakers sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks. Hachimura has been discussed in trades over the past week, and after his recent comments about wanting to be in a situation where his skills are valued, it sparked further discussions.
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