Major Lakers Trade Rumor Has Returned
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked fans on Sunday night when they overcame a 25-point deficit and beat the Portland Trail Blazers on the road.
It was perhaps the most impressive victory the team has had all year.
Despite that and a few other promising wins lately, there is still a good chance the team will be involved in a trade before the February 9 deadline.
Trade talks between the Spurs and the Lakers that involve Russell Westbrook are ‘still alive,’ per https://t.co/8b2v38gb0U
The Lakers are interested in Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott. pic.twitter.com/PTwFhNeBmM
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 23, 2023
In fact, SpursTalk.com, a premiere San Antonio Spurs website, is reporting that trade talks between the Spurs and Lakers involving Russell Westbrook are “still alive.”
Lakers Looking To Deal
The site acknowledges that the talks have been “on the back burner” for a few months but both teams are still entertaining a move of Westbrook to San Antonio, with Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardson, and Doug McDermott being possible candidates for the All-Star.
For the season, Westbrook’s average is now 15.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.
Poeltl has been good for 12.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while Richardson has averaged 11.4, 2.6, and 3.2, and McDermott has scored 10.1, 2.4, and 1.5.
The Spurs have made it clear that they want a first-round pick for Richardson while their request for McDermott isn’t known.
And that is where any deal with LA might come to a halt.
A lot of reporting says that there is disagreement within the team’s front office about sending away trade picks.
Apparently, general manager Rob Pelinka is more comfortable about doing so while others, like Jeanie Buss, aren’t so sure.
So if the Spurs are asking for draft picks alongside Westbrook, negotiations might hit a serious snag.
For the last few months, talks of Westbrook being traded have dimmed as he has gotten much better for his team.
But as the upcoming deadline sneaks up, the possibility of him leaving LA will grow.