'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It’s no secret that the LA Lakers have been looking to trade former 9x All-Star guard Russell Westbrook for a while now. But so far, the Lakers have been very cautious about doing any deal involving Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.
This is because the Lakers realize that those picks could be their last significant trade assets for a long time. However, they also realize they won’t be able to trade Westbrook’s $47.1 million salary without including one or both of the picks. So the team has been waiting patiently for the right Westbrook trade.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers may start listening to offers again soon.
"The Lakers, at some point here, will start engaging teams again on possible Russell Westbrook trades," Wojnarowski said.
Wojnarowski then added that there’s still a chance that Westbrook will remain a Laker long term. But it’s more likely that the Lakers will move him before the trade deadline.
"Certainly, there's an opportunity for Russell Westbrook to get integrated with this group and that second unit it seems. But I think ultimately the Lakers—still armed with those two future first-round picks and Westbrook's expiring contract—would like to go out and improve this team, certainly before the trade deadline. I think you can expect them to start canvassing again at some point once the regular season starts," Wojnarowski said.
Here are three of the most plausible Russell Westbrook trade rumors that have been doing the rounds of the web.
1. Russell Westbrook to the Indiana Pacers
The LA Lakers' most well-documented Russell Westbrook trade discussions have been with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have two starter-level players who could fit in seamlessly into LA.
Those two players are sharpshooter Buddy Hield and stretch-five Myles Turner. The Pacers reportedly want both of the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round picks attached to Westbrook in exchange for Hield and Turner. But up until now, the Lakers have only offered one first-round pick in the deal.
However, this offer could still end up being the Lakers' best for Westbrook up until the trade deadline. So if the Lakers start struggling early on in the season, it is entirely plausible that they still end up going ahead with this deal.
Buddy Hield has averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 39.8% from three on 7.6 attempts per game during his career so far. Hence, he could provide the Lakers with some much-needed scoring and shooting.
Myles Turner has career averages of 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting from the field and 34.9% shooting from three. Turner could provide the Lakers with floor spacing as well as rim protection at the five.
2. Russell Westbrook to the Charlotte Hornets
Back in August, Bleacher Report released an article titled “5 Brutal Russell Westbrook Trades LA Lakers Need to Actually Consider.” One of their trade proposals had Russell Westbrook, the Lakers' 2027 first and a 2023 second-round pick going to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Lakers would get back veteran scoring forward Gordon Hayward and veteran center Mason Plumlee.
The Hornets are already without last season’s leading scorer Miles Bridges due to his upcoming assault trial. Now, their All-Star guard LaMelo Ball is also set to miss the start of the season with a Grade 2 ankle sprain.
With the Eastern Conference having improved a lot, this could give the Hornets an incentive to tank this season. If they do, it would make them a prime trade partner for the Lakers.
The Hornets could take back Westbrook’s contract and picks and then send Westbrook home and tank. Meanwhile, the Lakers could get two valuable starters without giving up both of their future firsts.
Gordon Hayward has career averages of 15.6 points per game on 45.3% shooting and 37.1% shooting from three. Much like Buddy Hield, he could offer the Lakers scoring and shooting.
Hayward would also provide the Lakers with some much-needed forward depth. Meanwhile, Mason Plumlee has career averages of 8.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks on 58.4% shooting. He would make for a serviceable lob threat big man for LA.
3. Russell Westbrook to the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are another team that have been rumored to be negotiating a Russell Westbrook trade with the LA Lakers. The main pieces involved on the Spurs side are veteran 3-and-D forward Josh Richardson and young shot-blocking big man Jakob Poeltl.
Veteran Sharpshooter Doug McDermott was also a player mentioned who could be of interest to the Lakers. The Spurs have reportedly been asking for one first-round pick for Richardson and two firsts for Poeltl. However, given the value of the Lakers’ firsts, there is a good chance they would give them both up in a deal involving both Lakers firsts.
One rumored trade scenario from Sports Illustrated has the Lakers trading Westbrook along with their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks to the Spurs. In return, they would get all three of Richardson, McDermott and Poeltl.
Josh Richardson has career averages of 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game on 42.8% shooting from the field and 36.5% shooting from three. He could provide the team with shooting and wing defense.
Doug McDermott has career averages of 9.2 points per game on 47.6% shooting and 40.9% shooting from three. He could be a solid three-point specialist for the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Jakob Poeltl is coming off a breakout season with averages of 13.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on 61.8% shooting. He would offer the Lakers rebounding, rim protection and a lob threat around the rim.
