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Lakers’ next best Russell Westbrook trades to make after Kyrie Irving trade

By Jason Reed

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Gary Trent Jr. #33 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 18: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Gary Trent Jr. #33 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 18, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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An NBA blockbuster went down on Sunday and it did not involve the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite previously being tied to Kyrie Irving, Irving’s desire to play in Los Angeles and the team offering both coveted future first-round picks, the Lakers could not land the star point guard.

Rob Pelinka and the front office now have to go back to the drawing board to see what other options exist for the team on the Russell Westbrook trade front. With a wide-open Western Conference and the team showing the willingness to trade both picks, pivoting and making another deal is the M-O.

There are several different ways for the Lakers to move Westbrook, with some options being better than others. When dealing in the realm of realism, there are three potential trades that make the most sense.

Here are the next best Russell Westbrook trades the Lakers can make after missing on Kyrie Irving:

3. A San Antonio Spurs deal (that is cheaper) 

There is a world in which the Los Angeles Lakers can get a Westbrook trade done without having to include both first-round picks. If that were to happen, it would certainly happen with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs and Lakers have been engaged in Westbrook trade talks with San Antonio emerging as the favorites to be a third team in a potential three-team deal with Brooklyn. That may have fallen through but the two sides can still work something out.

The framework of the deal is simple. Los Angeles gets the two expendable shooters that San Antonio has on the roster while the Spurs absorb Westbrook’s expiring, likely buying him out to let him sign elsewhere.

Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott do not have much trade value, so getting an expiring contract in Westbrook with a first-round pick would be a fair price for San Antonio. The Lakers would get a KCP-light role player in Richardson with one of the best off-ball shooters in the league in McDermott (who is under contract for one more year, hence why his trade value is low).

If the Spurs are asking for both first-round picks then the Lakers should quickly hang up the phone. But if they want to keep one of the picks, this could be the move to make.

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