San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Jakob Poeltl, F Doug McDermott, G/F Josh Richardson, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kyrie Irving
This deal follows a similar formula as the last one. It has the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets finding a third party to take Russell Westbrook’s contract at the price of added incentives.
This time, it’s the Spurs. The difference is that we’ve got two of the Lakers’ three picks (including the swap) heading to the Nets this time.
That’s because they’re getting less back from the Spurs. All three of the veterans they’re getting here are solid, but none are offensively dynamic as either Hayward or Rozier. The Nets deserve extra compensation for that reason.
The Spurs should still be interested here. Unlike the Hornets, there’s no question they’ll be bottoming out ahead of the 2023 NBA draft.
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The Nets will most likely not be following suit. After all, they owe their first-round picks (or swap rights) to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. Still, this deal lands them veterans that help them stay competitive on top of some extra draft capital to potentially broker a trade later in the season.
