NBA Rumors: Lakers Linked To Spurs In Trade Talks

Russell Westbrook's rebirth in the second unit of the Los Angeles Lakers has worked like a charm. Well, the Lakers are 2-3 in that time, but Westbrook has certainly held up his end of the bargain. His points-per-game have nearly doubled, from 10.3 as a much-maligned starter, to 18.8 since coming off the bench. His "true shooting %" has similarly nearly doubled, from 30.3% starting, to 57.6% on the second unit. 

But all of that good stuff doesn't mean the trade talks have necessarily ended. The Lakers are still desperate for shooting, as their 2-7 record indicates. One rumor that's making the rounds today has the Lakers talking with the San Antonio Spurs, with a couple of sharpshooters as their targets. This, according to LJ Ellis of SpursTalk.com:

According to a source, the Los Angeles Lakers have targeted (Josh) Richardson and (Doug) McDermott in a trade that would involve Russell Westbrook. However, talks haven’t gained traction because the Lakers are only willing to relinquish a pair of second round picks in return for both players.

McDermott is averaging 10 points and shooting 43% from long distance this season (career 41%), while Richardson is shooting 42% from downtown this year (36.6% career). For reference: the Lakers are dead last in the NBA at 28% from beyond the arc this season. 

But as intimated by Ellis, the Spurs are looking for a first-rounder in a deal like that, but the Lakers haven't yet upped their ante to include one. 

The story also indicates that if the Spurs were to take Westbrook in such a deal, they have no intention of keeping him around; they would buy him out and send him off into free agency. 

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports