With just a few days until NBA training camps open for all 30 teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, point guard Russell Westbrook remains on the roster.
After a press conference for general manager, Rob Pelinka and head coach Darvin Ham was canceled this week, speculation rose that Los Angeles may be working on a trade.
So far, there haven’t been any trades consummated. The team was in the running for Bojan Bogdanovic but the Utah Jazz traded the sharpshooting forward to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee.
With Bogdanovic off the table in discussion with Utah, one NBA executive that spoke to NBA Analysis believes the Lakers should look elsewhere when it comes to a potential Westbrook deal.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Jazz were one of the teams that trade negotiations were held with but doesn’t see them as a good one any longer. Instead, the San Antonio Spurs are who the executive believes the Lakers should look to make a trade with.
“I don’t like the Jazz as a trade partner for the Lakers anymore without Bogdanovic being an option. The Pacers have always had a high price for Turner and their veterans. Maybe Indiana changes their tune during the season? If getting a trade done soon is the goal, the Spurs are a great choice. They have a significant amount of cap space left, and Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott could be helpful. Jakob Poeltl would be great for depth if they are willing to pay the price, too.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
That price has been a haggling point for the purple and gold all off-season. No matter who they have engaged in trade talks with, the teams are asking for the same thing; first-round picks in 2027 and 2029. To this point, that isn’t something that Los Angeles has been willing to do.
Based on what San Antonio is looking for in exchange for their veterans, the Lakers will have to part with both picks to get a deal done. However, the asking price could be adjusted depending on when a deal gets done as a buyout for Westbrook would get cheaper the longer he is on the roster.
“If the Westbrook situation drags into the season, I still think the Spurs make a lot of sense. A buyout for Westbrook becomes cheaper as he plays games with the Lakers. It would be easier to stomach writing a check to have him not play for you if the amount is smaller. Take those future picks and fully embrace bottoming out. This is the best time to all-out tank for San Antonio.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
After trading All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks earlier this offseason, the Spurs are all-in on rebuilding. They have their sights set on one of the top prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft class, such as Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson.
They would improve their odds of landing one of those players if they found takers for veterans such as Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson and Jakob Poeltl. Desperate to add talent to the roster, the Lakers and Spurs could be the perfect trade partners.
