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Lakers: 2 possible Kyrie Irving trade packages involving the Spurs

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs argues a call after a timeout as Keita Bates-Diop #31 leaves the court during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs argues a call after a timeout as Keita Bates-Diop #31 leaves the court during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Lakers send the Spurs a very-lightly protected pick

This first trade package sees the Spurs only getting Russell Westbrook and picks from both teams involved. The Nets send a future second-round pick to the Spurs that way all three teams can “touch” in the deal, via NBA rules. That is just another added benefit for the Spurs helping facilitate this trade.

San Antonio is the team that obviously takes on the most salary here as they are absorbing Russell Westbrook’s deal but they also get some salary relief in trading Josh Richardson. While Richardson can be a valuable three and D player, this is a team that is trying to tank and Richardson is on an expiring contract.

This trade does see the Lakers trade two future picks, one of which is top-3 protected in 2029 in case the Lakers are horrible. While this might not be the best-case scenario for Lakers fans, the team very well could be leveraged by LeBron to make this trade.

Plus, the Lakers’ draft pick situation is not as bleak as it seems. New Orleans only has one of the team’s first-round picks over the next three years. LA just can’t trade any of them because New Orleans can take the pick in either 2024 or 2025 so the Lakers don’t know which pick they will have and because of Steipen Rules, that means they cannot trade 2026 as well.

This accomplishes the monetary goals for the Nets. Brooklyn is saving $36.3 million in this while also getting a future first and promising young player for Kyrie. The Lakers are taking on more money, but it is a very small $1.5 million.

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