San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Doug McDermott, G/F Josh Richardson, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Kyrie Irving
There are sour situations, and then there’s whatever is happening in Brooklyn. By all appearances, things have gotten downright rancid in the borough.
Unfortunately, that impacts Kyrie Irving’s trade value. In terms of pure talent, the Nets ought to be looking at a young star and multiple first-rounders in exchange for Irving. With that said, talent alone does not dictate trade value in the National Basketball Association.
Irving’s tendency to destroy the teams he lands on is well-documented. General managers around the NBA are likely to be apprehensive about acquiring him. With that said, the Los Angeles Lakers could be an exception.
After all, they’ve got a similarly distressed asset in Russell Westbrook. His issues are more on-court than off-court, but the impact on his trade value is similar. Meanwhile, his fit with LeBron James was poorer than the worst pessimist’s projection in 2021-22.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Updates On Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Deandre Ayton, Zion Williamson, More
As it happens, the Spurs are in a perfect position to absorb his contract in exchange for a little draft capital. They’ve got no big plans in 2022-23, so they won’t be concerned with Westbrook’s viability as a primary option. They could buy him out, sit him, or just let him play, and they’re still likely to lose as many games as they’ll be hoping to.
