The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are reportedly discussed a trade centered on star Russell Westbrook.
According to Michael Scotto of the HoopsHype website, the two teams had talked about a deal before the start of the 2022/23 season.
First and then to, the Angelina franchise would give up the point guard and a protected first-round draft pick. In response, the Texans sent forward Josh Richardson.
Due to the offer’s unhappiness with Gregg Popovich’s squad, the negotiations did not move forward. The transfer of the reserve veteran was not, by the way, the crucial issue.
However, the team wanted an unprotected selection to use its financial flexibility in the “absorption” of the last year of the star’s contract. Richardson earns over $47 million in the current campaign.
The Texans’ focus in the draft shows that the former league MVP was not in the Spurs’ plans.
Pundits learned that the team would not use Westbrook this season and intended to release him once the transaction is confirmed. It is also possible that other lesser players were involved in the negotiation.
A trade between the Spurs and Lakers centered on Westbrook could involve more players, first and foremost, as a matter of availability.
The Texan team begins a rebuilding process and, thus, the veterans of the roster should be traded soon. Doug McDermott and Jakob Poeltl, for example, are in the same condition as Richardson.
The trend is that, at first, Angelinos remain interested in the 29-year-old winger during the season. He is one of the names that have already been indicated as possible reinforcements for the Californians.
Richardson has played in all 17 games for the Spurs so far, averaging 10.2 points and 3.0 assists off the bench.
