Lakers rumors: Western rival closest to land Russell Westbrook in trade

The Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to find someone who can get rid of Russell Westbrook following last year’s debacle on the floor. With a huge $47 million cap hit, trading him to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving is becoming to difficult to pull off thanks to Westbrook’s declining value.

The Lakers want Irving, and Westbrook wants to go somewhere where he can put up the numbers he wants. A trade could satisfy both desires, but both parties will need to jump through some hoops in order to bring an end to Westbrook’s LA tenure.

The San Antonio Spurs still have tons of cap space, but the lack of marquee free agents still on the market and the team’s desire to rebuild could make them a prime spot for absorbing bad veteran contracts with draft picks attached. RC Buford and San Antonio might use that flexibility to take Westbrook away from LA.

According to Spurs Talk, Gregg Popovich might be willing to help the Lakers get Irving by taking on Westbrook’s contract. San Antonio desires unprotected first-round picks in a trade, and the Lakers might oblige if they can get off the second-biggest cap hit in the league. According to these reports, a trade with the Spurs is actually the closest thing to happening.

Will the Lakers trade Russell Westbrook to the Spurs?

Westbrook is clearly not suited to a tertiary role with the Lakers. Due to a style of play that necessitates him having the ball in his hands as frequently as possible, Westbrook’s lack of quality shooting ability has made it difficult for him to coexist alongside LeBron James.

In San Antonio, the lack of talent around Westbrook could allow him to play as he did during the final year of his Oklahoma City tenure or his lone season in Washington. It won’t win a championship, but he can be effective when he’s not hitting the side of the backboard.

Assuming that Brooklyn would have no use for Westbrook, which is fair considering how a deal could have likely been consummated by now if the Nets were all-in on Westbrook, the Spurs might need to get involved in order for a trade to get done. Westbrook can stat pad with San Antonio while the Lakers improve.

The road towards getting Irving is a perilous path that is drought with all sorts of issues that could derail things along the way. If the Spurs are in a giving mood, and the Lakers want to give up some draft capital, Rob Pelinka could be freed from the shackles of that contract.

Pass or pursue proposed trades the Lakers should consider making

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to need to make a trade of some kind to compete next season. But are these proposed trades worth it?